Definition

1. Noun:

   • A tight or amorous embrace: A close, firm hold, often in a loving or affectionate manner.
   • A device that holds things firmly together: A mechanical fastener, often used by carpenters, to secure objects.
   • The flattened part of a nail or bolt or rivet: The part of a fastener that has been bent over or hammered flat to secure it in place.
   • A small slip noose made with seizing: (Nautical) A knot or loop used to fasten a rope.
   • (Boxing) The act of holding an opponent: A maneuver where one boxer holds the other to prevent punches and gain a momentary rest.

2. Verb:

   • To settle conclusively: To finalize or decide something beyond doubt.
   • To flatten the ends of nails or rivets: To secure a fastener by bending or hammering its protruding end.
   • To embrace amorously: To hold someone closely in a loving or passionate way.
   • To hold in a tight grasp: To grip something firmly.
   • To hold a boxing opponent: To grip an opponent with one or both arms to restrict their movement.
   • To secure by flattening ends: To fasten something by clinching its nails or bolts.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • They shared a passionate clinch. (They shared a passionate, tight embrace.)
  • The carpenter used a metal clinch to join the beams. (The carpenter used a fastening device to join the beams.)
  • The clinch of the nail kept the board secure. (The flattened part of the nail kept the board secure.)
  • In boxing, the referee broke the clinch. (In boxing, the referee separated the fighters from their tight hold.)

• Verb:

  • The new evidence will clinch the argument. (The new evidence will settle the argument conclusively.)
  • He used a hammer to clinch the rivet. (He used a hammer to flatten the end of the rivet.)
  • The lovers clinched on the platform. (The lovers embraced amorously on the platform.)
  • She clinched her fists in determination. (She held her fists in a tight grasp.)
  • The boxer clinched his opponent to avoid more punches. (The boxer held his opponent tightly to avoid more punches.)
  • We need to clinch these planks together. (We need to secure these planks by flattening the nail ends.)

Advanced Usage

• "To clinch a deal": To finalize an agreement successfully.

  • They hope to clinch the deal by Friday. (They hope to finalize the agreement by Friday.)

• "That clinches it!": An idiom meaning a fact or action that settles a matter decisively.

  • You're late again? That clinches it—you're fired. (You're late again? That settles the matter—you're fired.)

Variants and Related Words

• Clincher (noun): A point, fact, or remark that settles a matter conclusively.
  • The final goal was the clincher for the championship. (The final goal was the decisive factor for the championship.)

Synonyms

• Verb (to settle): Finalize, conclude, seal, secure.
• Verb (to embrace): Hug, embrace, grasp, hold tightly.
• Noun (embrace): Hug, embrace, squeeze.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs. Its meanings are typically expressed directly.)

Related Idioms

• "Clinch a victory": To secure a win, especially at the last moment.
  • The team scored in the last minute to clinch the victory. (The team scored in the last minute to secure the win.)

Noun

1. a tight or amorous embrace
   • come here and give me a big hug
2. a device (generally used by carpenters) that holds things firmly together
3. the flattened part of a nail or bolt or rivet
4. a small slip noose made with seizing
5. (boxing) the act of one boxer holding onto the other to avoid being hit and to rest momentarily

Verb

1. settle conclusively
   • clinch a deal
2. flatten the ends (of nails and rivets)
   • the nails were clinched
3. embrace amorously
4. hold in a tight grasp
   • clench a steering wheel
5. hold a boxing opponent with one or both arms so as to prevent punches
6. secure or fasten by flattening the ends of nails or bolts
   • The girder was clinched into the wall