好词典

clutches

UK //ˈklʌtʃɪz//US //ˈklʌtʃɪz//

词源

源自中古英语 'clucchen',可能与古英语 'clyccan'(紧握)相关,最初拟声模仿突然抓取的声音。

noun

❶ 指紧紧抓住或控制某人某物的手或力量,常用于描述被他人控制或陷入困境的状态。

“She struggled to escape from the clutches of the kidnapper.”

(她拼命挣扎,试图逃脱绑架者的魔掌。)

“The city finally freed itself from the clutches of the invading army.”

(这座城市终于从入侵军队的控制中解脱出来。)

同义词:grasp, grip, hold, control, power

verb

❶ 指急切地或紧张地抓住某物,通常因为害怕或需要支撑。

“She clutched her bag tightly when walking through the dark alley.”

(穿过黑暗小巷时,她紧紧抓着自己的包。)

“The child clutched his mother's hand in fear.”

(孩子害怕地紧紧抓住妈妈的手。)

同义词:grab, grasp, seize, cling, hold

常见短语

in the clutches of — 表示被某人或某事物控制或困住,常用于负面情境。

“The small business was in the clutches of a ruthless loan shark.”

(这家小企业落入了无情的高利贷者手中。)

clutch at straws — 形容在绝望时试图抓住任何微小的希望或机会,即使不切实际。

“After failing all interviews, he was clutching at straws by applying to obscure companies.”

(在所有面试失败后,他只能抓住最后一根稻草,向不知名公司投简历。)