clutch

/klʌtʃ/
verb
  1. To grasp or hold tightly, especially with the hands.
    • She clutched her bag as she walked through the crowded street.
    • The baby clutched his mother's finger tightly.
    • He clutched the railing to keep from falling.
  2. To try to seize or grab something suddenly.
    • He clutched at the rope but missed.
    • The drowning man clutched at anything floating nearby.
    • She clutched at the chance to travel abroad.
Antonyms
adjective
  1. Done or happening at a critical moment; very important or decisive.
    • That was a clutch decision that saved the company.
    • He hit a clutch home run in the final inning.
    • Her clutch save prevented a goal.
noun
  1. A device in a vehicle that connects and disconnects the engine from the wheels, operated by a pedal.
    • Press the clutch all the way down before shifting gears.
    • He learned to drive a manual car by practicing with the clutch.
    • The clutch in my car is starting to wear out.
  2. A small handbag without a strap, carried under the arm or in the hand.
    • She wore a beautiful silver clutch to the party.
    • The clutch matched her shoes perfectly.
    • He bought her a leather clutch for her birthday.
  3. A tight grasp or hold.
    • The eagle held the fish in its clutch.
    • She broke free from his clutch and ran.
    • He felt the clutch of fear as the storm approached.
  4. A group of eggs laid by a bird at one time.
    • The farmer collected the clutch from the nest.
    • The hen sat on her clutch of eggs for three weeks.
    • The robin's clutch contained four blue eggs.
  5. A critical or decisive situation, especially in sports.
    • In the clutch, he always stays calm.
    • The player is known for performing well in the clutch.
    • She made a clutch shot to win the game.
What does "clutch" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean