grasp
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++grasp1 /ɡrɑːsp $ ɡræsp/ ●●○ verb [transitive] 1 HOLDto take and hold something firmly 抓牢，握紧 SYN grip I grasped his arm firmly and led him away. 我紧紧抓住他的胳膊把他带走。 Alan grasped the handle and pulled it. 艾伦抓住手柄一拉。► see thesaurus at hold2 [not in progressive]UNDERSTAND to completely understand a fact or an idea, especially a complicated one 理解，领会〔尤指复杂的事情或观点〕 At that time, we did not fully grasp the significance of what had happened. 当时，我们没有完全明白所发生之事的重要性。 Some people find the idea of relativity difficult to grasp. 有些人觉得相对论的概念很难理解。grasp what/how etc A short opening paragraph enables the reader to quickly grasp what the article is about. 开篇的小段落使读者很快就能掌握文章的大意。grasp that Nick had grasped that something was wrong. 尼克已经知道出问题了。► see thesaurus at understand3 grasp an opportunity to eagerly and quickly use an opportunity to do something 抓住机会 She is ready to grasp any opportunity to expand the business. 她已准备好抓住一切机遇拓展业务。4 grasp the nettle British EnglishDEAL WITH to deal with an unpleasant situation firmly and without delay 果断地处理棘手问题 We need to grasp the nettle of prison reform. 我们需要当机立断，解决狱政改革这个难题。5 grasp at something phrasal verb HOLDto try to hold on to something 企图抓住 His foot slipped and he grasped at the top of the wall. 他脚下一滑，立刻伸手去抓墙头。→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
grasp• Fame has come suddenly, and Peyton is finding it hard to grasp.• Science lessons should be taught in a way that makes the material easier to grasp.• Taylor manages to explain technical ideas in a way that non-specialists can grasp.• This was separated from the other digits, giving their owners the ability to grasp and manipulate objects.• They grasp at each other with numbed fingers for the comfort of touch.• Wexford grasped it in both his hands, raised it high and brought it down hard to meet the empty air.• What is so sad is that through all the tinsel shines a reality, but we can not seem to grasp it.• Though I have no trouble grasping its concepts, math continues to be difficult for me.• The toothed whales have a set of teeth which they use to grasp large and quick-moving prey, mainly squid or fish.• The army had failed to grasp that their mission was to protect the navy's ships, not vice versa.• The right balance of detail should help the reader quickly grasp the nature of the problem and your approach to it.• Obviously, she had barely grasped the subject.• The handgrips should be shaped so that children can grasp them firmly.grasp that• Abandoned by her family and deserted by her servants, Elena Petrescu was incapable of grasping that a revolution had happened.• Being registered as Paula Grey will lead the baying hounds straight to you - once they grasp that I've disappeared too.• He should have grasped that it was indeed an irrepressible conflict.• Lucker holds my hand with the kind of grasp that men at sea learn as a last resort.• When the workers are slow to grasp that reality, the results are often heartbreaking.• When will the Opposition grasp that simple fact?• He had also quickly grasped that the islanders would do nothing to endanger the safety of Sycorax.• They fail to grasp that what is required is their own detailed response to what is before them.grasp2 ●○○ noun [singular] 1 HOLDthe way you hold something or your ability to hold it 抓，握 SYN grip Luke took her arm in a firm grasp and led her through the gate. 卢克紧紧抓着她的胳膊，领她进了门。 He had allowed the ball to slip from his grasp. 他让球从手里滑了出去。► see thesaurus at knowledge2 UNDERSTANDyour ability to understand a complicated idea, situation, or subject 〔对复杂想法、情况或问题的〕理解力，领悟力 SYN understandinggrasp of Her grasp of the issues was impressive. 她对这些问题的领悟能力极强。a good/firm/thorough etc grasp of something Steve has a good grasp of the European legal system. 史蒂夫对欧洲的法律体系非常了解。grasp on After two months, his grasp on the subject was improving. 两个月之后，他对这个问题有了更好的理解。3 DOyour ability to achieve or gain something 力所能及；把握；掌握within somebody’s grasp An agreement to end the war seemed within their grasp. 他们似乎有把握签订停战协议。beyond somebody’s grasp Many families are finding suitable housing beyond their grasp. 许多家庭负担不起合适的住房。4 literaryCONTROL control or power 控制，权力 The king was determined not to let Scotland slip from his grasp. 国王决心不让苏格兰脱离出去。Examples from the Corpus
grasp• But such a brash grasp for the moral high ground called for an answer.• She seized the handle, but the impetus was too great, and it was wrenched from her convulsive grasp.• Take a firm grasp on the rope.• Helen tightened her grasp on my collar and shouted ""Don't fool around with me, Mickey!''• He had Hannele in mind and, he hoped, almost in his grasp.• He recognised him at once as Fouchard returned, trophy firmly in his grasp.• He now had Joe the Fish in his grasp, as he had sworn to himself that he would.• Recent moves have weakened his grasp on power.• Cordell had an impressive grasp of military issues.• His technique shows a masterful grasp of the conventions of the philosophic dialogue perfected by Plato.• Would anyone with a reasonable grasp on sanity even attempt something like this?• She tried to escape Moore's grasp but he was too strong for her.• Some of the historical nuances are beyond the grasp of most children.• Can one doubt that such a tale is one of a tightening grasp of an actual reality?a good/firm/thorough etc grasp of something• Thus by the age of five years, children have a good grasp of the concept of intention.• Some cathedral organists have developed considerable liturgical flair and some have a good grasp of theology.• Although some students have a good grasp of colloquial language, few have ever got to grips with the concept of register.• It remained his belief, though, that a firm grasp of wider realities would serve him well.grasp1 verbgrasp2 nounChinese
hold firmly something take Corpus and to
grasp
grasp1 /ɡrɑːsp $ ɡræsp/ 
verb [transitive]
1. to take and hold something firmly
SYN grip:
I grasped his arm firmly and led him away.
Alan grasped the handle and pulled it.
2. [not in progressive] to completely understand a fact or an idea, especially a complicated one:
At that time, we did not fully grasp the significance of what had happened.
Some people find the idea of relativity difficult to grasp.
grasp what/how etc
A short opening paragraph enables the reader to quickly grasp what the article is about.
grasp that
Nick had grasped that something was wrong.
3. grasp an opportunity to eagerly and quickly use an opportunity to do something:
She is ready to grasp any opportunity to expand the business.
4. grasp the nettle British English to deal with an unpleasant situation firmly and without delay:
We need to grasp the nettle of prison reform.
grasp at something phrasal verb
to try to hold on to something:
His foot slipped and he grasped at the top of the wall.
grasp2 noun [singular]
1. the way you hold something or your ability to hold it
SYN grip:
Luke took her arm in a firm grasp and led her through the gate.
He had allowed the ball to slip from his grasp.
2. your ability to understand a complicated idea, situation, or subject
SYN understanding
grasp of
Her grasp of the issues was impressive.
a good/firm/thorough etc grasp of something
Steve has a good grasp of the European legal system.
grasp on
After two months, his grasp on the subject was improving.
3. your ability to achieve or gain something
within sb’s grasp
An agreement to end the war seemed within their grasp.
beyond sb’s grasp
Many families are finding suitable housing beyond their grasp.
4. literary control or power:
The king was determined not to let Scotland slip from his grasp.
▪ knowledge the facts and information that you have learned, and the understanding you have gained: Our knowledge of other cultures and societies has improved. | scientific knowledge
▪expertise special knowledge about how to do something, that you get through experience, training, or study: The technical expertise was provided by a Japanese company. | They need people with medical expertise.
▪know-how practical knowledge about how to do something: Business leaders often lack the local know-how to tackle problems in specific countries. | financial know-how
▪wisdom good sense and judgment, based on knowledge and experience: the wisdom of the older family members | It’s a matter of common wisdom that newspapers cannot be trusted.
▪grasp how much you know about a situation or subject, and how well you understand it: He’s been praised for his grasp of the country’s economic problems. | She has a good grasp of the language.
| I |
verb [transitive]1. to take and hold something firmly
SYN grip:
2. [not in progressive] to completely understand a fact or an idea, especially a complicated one:
grasp what/how etc
grasp that
3. grasp an opportunity to eagerly and quickly use an opportunity to do something:
4. grasp the nettle British English to deal with an unpleasant situation firmly and without delay:
grasp at something phrasal verb
to try to hold on to something:
| II |
noun [singular]1. the way you hold something or your ability to hold it
SYN grip:
2. your ability to understand a complicated idea, situation, or subject
SYN understanding
grasp of
a good/firm/thorough etc grasp of something
grasp on
3. your ability to achieve or gain something
within sb’s grasp
beyond sb’s grasp
4. literary control or power:
| THESAURUS |
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hold to have sb/sth in your hand or arms 指抓住、抱住、托住、夹住 ：◆ She was holding a large box. 她提着一只大箱子。 ◆ I held the baby gently in my arms. 我把婴儿轻轻地抱在怀里。 hold on (to sb/sth) to continue to hold sb/sth; to put your hand on sb/sth and not take your hand away 指抓紧、不放开 ：◆ Hold on and don't let go until I say so. 握紧，我让你松手时才松开。 cling to hold on to sb/sth tightly, especially with your whole body 尤指用身体紧抱、紧握、抓紧 ：◆ Survivors clung to pieces of floating debris.生还者紧紧抱住漂浮在水面上的残骸。 clutch to hold sb/sth tightly, especially in your hand; to take hold of sth suddenly 尤指用手抓紧、紧握、抱紧、突然抓住 ：◆ She stood there, the flowers still clutched in her hand. 她站在那里，手里仍然紧握着花束。 ◆ He felt himself slipping and clutched at a branch.他感到自己滑了一下，便一把抓住一根树枝。 grip to hold on to sth very tightly with your hand 指用手紧握、紧抓 ：◆ Grip the rope as tightly as you can. 尽可能紧紧抓住绳子。 grasp to take hold of sth firmly 指抓紧、抓牢 ：◆ He grasped my hand and shook it warmly. 他热情地抓着我的手握了起来。 NOTE The object of grasp is often sb'shand orwrist .* grasp 的宾语通常为 hand 或 wrist。 clasp ( to hold sb/sth tightly in your hand or in your arms指紧握、攥紧、抱紧 ：◆ They clasped hands (= .held each other's hands )他们相互紧握着对方的手。 ◆ She clasped the children in her arms. 她把孩子紧紧地搂在怀里。 NOTE The object of clasp is often yourhands , sb else'shand or another person.* clasp 的宾语通常为 hand 或另一个人。 hang on (to sth) to hold on to sth very tightly, especially in order to support yourself or stop yourself from falling 尤指为支撑自己或防止跌倒而紧紧抓住某物 ：◆ Hang on tight. We're off! 抓紧，我们出发了！
Patterns
to hold/clutch/grip/clasp sth in your hand/hands to hold/clutch/clasp sb/sth in your arms to hold/clutch/grip/grasp/clasp/hang on to sthto hold/cling/hang on to hold/clutch/clasp sb/sth to youto hold/hold on to/cling to/clutch/grip/grasp/clasp/hang on to sb/sth tightly to hold/hold on to/cling to/clutch/grip/grasp/clasp sb/sth firmly to hold/hold on to/clutch/grip/clasp/hang on to sb/sth tight
understand to know or realize the meaning of words, a language, what sb says, etc; to know or realize how or why sth happens, how it works or why it is important 指懂、理解、领会（词义、语言、话语等），了解、认识到、明白（事情如何或为何发生、如何起作用或为何重要等） ：◆ I don't understand the instructions. 我不懂这些指令的意思。 ◆ Doctors still don't understand much about the disease. 医生对这种疾病还了解不多。 see to understand what is happening, what sb is saying, how sth works or how important sth is 指理解、明白、领会（正在发生的事、某人的话、某事如何起作用或重要性如何） ：◆ 'It opens like this.' 'Oh, I see .'“这样就打开了。” “哦，我明白了。” ◆ Oh yes, I see what you mean .噢，我明白你的意思了。 get ( to understand a joke, what sb is trying to tell you, or a situation that they are trying to describe指理解、明白（笑话、某人试图告知的事或描述的情况） ：◆ She didn't get the joke. 她听不懂那个笑话。 ◆ I don't get you. 我搞不懂你的意思。 follow to understand an explanation, a story or the meaning of sth 指理解、明白（说明、故事、意思） ：◆ Sorry—I don't quite follow. 对不起，我不太懂你的话。 ◆ The plot is almost impossible to follow. 故事情节几乎叫人不明所以。 grasp to come to understand a fact, an idea or how to do sth 指理解、领会、领悟、明白（事实、想法或如何做某事） ：◆ They failed to grasp the importance of his words. 他们没有理解他的话的重要性。
understand or grasp? 用 understand 还是 grasp？
comprehend (often used in negative statements) ( to understand a fact, idea or reason（常用于否定句中）指理解、领悟、明白（事实、想法或原因） ：◆ The concept of infinity is almost impossible for the human mind to comprehend. 无穷的概念几乎是人类的大脑无法理解的。
Patterns
to understand/see/get/follow/grasp/comprehend what/why/how… to understand/see/grasp/comprehend that… to understand/see/get/grasp the point/idea (of sth)to be easy/difficult/hard to understand/see/follow/grasp/comprehendto fully understand/see/grasp/comprehend sth
