From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishgrabgrab1 /ɡræb/ ●●● S1 W3 verb (grabbed, grabbing) [transitive] 1 with your handTAKE something FROM somebodyTAKE something FROM SOMEWHERE to take hold of someone or something with a sudden or violent movement SYN snatch I grabbed my bag and ran off. Two men grabbed her and pushed her to the ground. Kay grabbed hold of my arm to stop herself falling.grab something from somebody/something I managed to grab the gun from Bowen.► see thesaurus at hold2 food/sleep informalEATSLEEP to get some food or sleep quickly because you are busy SYN snatch Why don’t you go and grab some sleep? Hang on while I grab a cup of coffee. Let’s grab a bite to eat before we go.3 get something for yourselfUNFAIR to get something for yourself, sometimes in an unfair way Try to get there early and grab good seats. Bob tried to grab all the profit.4 chance/opportunityCHANCE/BY CHANCE (also grab at something) informal to take an opportunity, accept an invitation etc immediately I think you should grab your chance to travel while you’re young. She grabbed the opportunity to go to America. Melanie grabbed at the invitation to go. This is our chance to grab a slice of this new market.5 get attention to get someone’s attention The book is full of good ideas to grab your students’ attention. The plight of the refugees immediately grabbed the headlines (=was the most important story in the newspapers). 6 information to take information on a computer, website etc7 → how does something grab you? → grab at/for something→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
grab• The firm is trying to grab a share of the market from competitors.• It also allows the owner of a registered trademark to complain if its name has been grabbed by somebody else.• It was chaos, everyone was just grabbing drinks from behind the bar.• She turned to him and grabbed his arm so hard it surprised him.• The boy grabbed hold of my bag and disappeared quickly into the crowd.• Henderson grabbed it, and avoided several Trojans by putting it around his back.• From time to time she glanced suspiciously around as if afraid some one might try to grab it off her.• I'm going to run downstairs and grab some books and stuff - I'll be right back.• Could you get there early and grab some good seats for us?• He also expects that farmers who shoot will grab such an opportunity.• We move on, with me grabbing the back spot.• A mad scramble followed a Dollar free throw, and Jason Hamilton eventually grabbed the ball on the right wing.• I grabbed the door handle, pulled the door open against the force of the wind, and ran up the stairs.• According to the report, Mason grabbed the gun from a friend.• Brown grabbed the phone and started shouting.• The Bruins committed myriad mistakes and the Avalanche grabbed their 3-0 lead on only nine shots.• Grab your coat, we're late.grab something from somebody/something• Stuart grabbed a flashlight from his car.grab ... chance• John Champagne and Bob Guadiana grabbed their chance to lead the way as 1991 drew to a close. grabbed the headlines• But it was the dynamic sexuality of her act that grabbed the headlines and confirmed her arrival as a new musical siren.grabgrab2 noun 1 → make a grab for/at something2 → be up for grabs3 [countable]T the act of getting something quickly, especially in a dishonest way a shameless power grab to eliminate opposition Officials denounced the settlers’ land grab.Examples from the Corpus
grab• She dodged around him and ran into the road as he made a grab for her.• Howe said Doug Johns is his fifth starter, but the fourth slot is up for grabs.• I had some memorable test drives after buying a dozen 6R4s when they were up for grabs at the factory.• In the past fortnight war veterans have begun more land grabs.• The defender does this by suddenly splitting his X block and converting it to a double open-palm grab.• Hamilton's actions were nothing more than a power grab within the company.land grab• Monta o accuses the city of deliberately forcing the neighborhood to go downhill, the better to justify a future land grab.• In the past fortnight war veterans have begun more land grabs.• If these incorporations fail, Marana and Oro Valley land grabs will continue.From Longman Business Dictionarygrabgrab1 /græb/ verb (grabbed, grabbing) [intransitive, transitive] to take or obtain something that other people also wantBoth companies are looking to grab a share of the overseas market.→ See Verb tablegrabgrab2 noun [singular]1an attempt to take or obtain something that other people also wantThe company’s recent growth could slow if competitors make a grab for some of its markets.British and Spanish officials complain that the idea looks suspiciously like a power-grab by Brussels (=an attempt by Brussels to get power over something).2be up for grabs informal if something is up for grabs, it is available for anyone who wants to try to obtain itArgentina has already sold off its telephone company, and dozens of other assets are up for grabs.A large part of the business might be put up for grabs.Origin grab1 (1500-1600) Middle Dutch Middle Low German grabben 