grabs.html - See: UP FOR GRABS.

grabs.html - {n.} 1. A bag from which surprise packages are chosen; a bag in which there are many unknown things. * /The woman paid a quarter for a chance at the grab bag./ * /The children brought packages to be sold from the grab bag at the school carnival./ 2. A group of many different things from which to choose; a variety. * /The TV program was a grab bag for young and old alike./

grabs.html - {v.}, {informal} To take quickly; take or grab before anybody else can; choose for yourself. * /The people who got to the show first grabbed off the best seats./ * /The women hurried to the store to grab off the things on sale./ * /The prettiest girls at the dance were grabbed off for partners first./ Compare: SNAP UP.

grabs.html - See: UP FOR GRABS.

grabs.html - v. & n.
--v.

(grabbed, grabbing)
1 tr. a seize suddenly. b capture, arrest.
2 tr. take greedily or unfairly.
3 tr. sl. attract the attention of, impress.
4 intr. (foll. by at) make a sudden snatch at.
5 intr. (of the brakes of a motor vehicle) act harshly or jerkily.

--n.

1 a sudden clutch or attempt to seize.
2 a mechanical device for clutching.
3 the practice of grabbing; rapacious proceedings esp. in politics and commerce.
4 a children's card-game in which certain cards may be snatched from the table.

grab-bag US a lucky dip. grab handle (or rail etc.) a handle or rail etc. to steady passengers in a moving vehicle. up for grabs sl. easily obtainable; inviting capture.

grabber n. [MLG, MDu. grabben: cf. GRIP, GRIPE, GROPE]

grabs.html - v.intr.
1 grope about, feel for something.
2 (often foll. by for) sprawl on all fours, scramble (for something). [Du. & LG grabbeln scramble for a thing (as GRAB)]