grab at/for
phrasal verb
grabbed at/for; grabbing at/for; grabs at/for
: to quickly stretch out one's hand and try to touch or hold (something or someone)
People were grabbing at her as she walked through the crowd.
He grabbed for the ball and missed.
—often used figurativelyWe grabbed at the chance to go.
political parties grabbing for power
Examples of grab at/for in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The firing of the inspectors general brought to my mind a plan beyond a mere grab for power.
—
Linda Thompson Gonzalez, Sun Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2025
From our review: My frustration stems from my feeling, merited or otherwise, that this movie is a grab for potential patrons’ pockets.
—The New York Times, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Norris was seen a few steps away holding a phone, apparently filming the incident as the men in black grab at Borrenpohl.
—Doha Madani, NBC News, 24 Feb. 2025
If there isn’t a serious medical complication underlying this argument, the name debate in this case seems like a desperate grab for control.
—Sarah Bregel, Parents, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grab at/for
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Linda Thompson Gonzalez, Sun Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2025
From our review: My frustration stems from my feeling, merited or otherwise, that this movie is a grab for potential patrons’ pockets.
—The New York Times, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Norris was seen a few steps away holding a phone, apparently filming the incident as the men in black grab at Borrenpohl.
—Doha Madani, NBC News, 24 Feb. 2025
If there isn’t a serious medical complication underlying this argument, the name debate in this case seems like a desperate grab for control.
—Sarah Bregel, Parents, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grab at/for
Cite this Entry
“Grab at/for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grab%20at%2Ffor. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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