Definition

1. Noun:

   • A mechanical coupling: A device in a vehicle that connects or disconnects the engine from the transmission system, allowing gears to be changed.
   • A tense or critical situation: A moment of high pressure or crisis where decisive action is required.
   • A collection of things or persons: A group of items or people that are handled or considered together.
   • A number of eggs or young birds: A group of eggs laid by a bird at one time or the young birds hatched from them.
   • A woman's small handbag: A small, often strapless purse designed to be carried in the hand.
   • The act of grasping: A tight hold or grip on something.

2. Verb:

   • To grasp or hold tightly: To seize and hold something firmly, usually with the hands.
   • To try to seize or grab at something: To make a sudden, often desperate, attempt to grab hold of something.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The car's clutch needs to be replaced. (Referring to the mechanical part)
  • He is known for performing well in the clutch. (Referring to a critical situation)
  • She found a clutch of old letters in the attic. (Referring to a collection)
  • The hen is sitting on her clutch of eggs. (Referring to eggs)
  • She carried a small, elegant clutch to the party. (Referring to a handbag)
  • His clutch on the rope saved him from falling. (Referring to a grasp)

• Verb:

  • The child clutched her mother's hand in fear.
  • A drowning man will clutch at a straw. (An idiom meaning to try anything in desperation)

Advanced Usage

• "to be in someone's clutches": to be under someone's control or power, often in a negative sense.
  • The hero finally escaped from the villain's clutches.
• "clutch hit" (sports): a successful play made at a critical moment in a game.
  • The batter's clutch hit won the game in the ninth inning.

Variants and Related Words

• Clutch bag (n): Another term for a woman's small handbag.
• Clutch pedal (n): The pedal in a manual vehicle operated by the foot to engage or disengage the clutch mechanism.

Synonyms

• Noun (grasp): Grip, hold, clasp.
• Noun (collection): Batch, bunch, set.
• Verb: Grasp, grab, seize, grip.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Clutch at: To try to grab something suddenly or desperately.
  • He clutched at the railing as he slipped.

Related Idioms

• Clutch at straws: To try any possible method, however unlikely, to save oneself from a difficult situation.
  • He had no real evidence for his theory; he was just clutching at straws.
• A clutch player: A person who performs very well under pressure.
  • She's a real clutch player; we can always count on her in important matches.

Noun

1. a coupling that connects or disconnects driving and driven parts of a driving mechanism
   • this year's model has an improved clutch
2. a pedal or lever that engages or disengages a rotating shaft and a driving mechanism
   • he smoothely released the clutch with one foot and stepped on the gas with the other
3. a woman's strapless purse that is carried in the hand
4. a collection of things or persons to be handled together
5. a number of birds hatched at the same time
6. a tense critical situation
   • he is a good man in the clutch
7. the act of grasping
   • he released his clasp on my arm
   • he has a strong grip for an old man
   • she kept a firm hold on the railing

Verb

1. affect
   • Fear seized the prisoners
   • The patient was seized with unbearable pains
   • He was seized with a dreadful disease
2. hold firmly, usually with one's hands
   • She clutched my arm when she got scared
3. take hold of; grab
   • The sales clerk quickly seized the money on the counter
   • She clutched her purse
   • The mother seized her child by the arm
   • Birds of prey often seize small mammals