C1verb2K

Grasp

UK /["/ɡrɑːsp/","/ɡrɑːsps/","/ɡrɑːspt/","/ˈɡrɑːspɪŋ/"]/US /["/ɡræsp/","/ɡræsps/","/ɡræspt/","/ˈɡræspɪŋ/"]/

Definition

to take a strong hold of somebody/something

In simple words: To understand something fully.

Examples

She could not grasp the meaning of the complex poem.
It’s difficult to grasp what he is trying to communicate.
He grasped the handle tightly to avoid slipping.
She grasped the opportunity to travel abroad.
The toddler grasped her mother’s finger with wonder.
It took time for the students to grasp the concept of calculus.
Even experts struggle to grasp the full implications of the new law.
He quickly grasped the essentials of the new software.

Usage notes

Use 'grasp' when talking about understanding complex ideas. It's more formal than 'get' but still commonly used in everyday conversations.

Grammar pattern

grasp + object

Memory hint

Think of grasping a concept like holding onto a great idea tightly.

Collocations

firmly
tightly
at
by
grasp hold of somebody/something
fully
not quite
not really
try to
be unable to
fail to

Synonyms

grip

Antonyms

misunderstand
ignore

Common mistakes

'Grasp' is sometimes confused with 'grab' (to physically hold something).
Learners may forget to use it in its correct form, saying 'grasp the concept' instead of 'grasp concepts'.