grip

Everyday

1. To grip is to hold something very tightly. tree →
2. A grip is a tight hold: Keep a firm grip on the rope. tree →
3. A grip is the part of something you hold, like the handle of a racket. tree →
4. Grip is how well something holds onto a surface without slipping: Shoes need good grip. tree →
5. To grip someone can mean to hold their attention strongly: The story gripped me. tree →

In the lessons

In science, grip comes from friction: rough soles, tyre treads and rubber handles grip better; wet and icy surfaces have less grip. In sport and PE: grip the bat, a good grip on the bars. In stories, a gripping book is so exciting you cannot stop reading. Phrases: get a grip (calm down), lose your grip, a firm grip, in the grip of.

Examples

• Grip the handlebars tightly. tree →
• Keep a good grip on the dog's lead. tree →
• My trainers have good grip on the wet floor. tree →
• The tyres lost grip on the ice. tree →
• The story gripped me from the first page. tree →
• Hold the racket by the grip. tree →
• The town was in the grip of a cold winter. tree →
• Get a grip, it's only a spider! tree →
• But an iron claw gripped his shoulder. tree →

Note

Past: gripped, gripping (double p). Adjective: gripping (very exciting). In science, more friction = more grip.