grab at

Frequency: 6.57.1 per million words

To make a sudden attempt to seize something.

grabgrab + PREPOSITION

Categories:

at

Examples (10)

  • I grabbed at his arm as he ran past.
  • She tried to grab at the rail but missed.
  • He keeps grabbing at my phone whenever it buzzes.
  • The child grabbed at the colorful balloons, laughing.
  • In the panic, passengers grabbed at any available handhold.
  • I instinctively grabbed at the steering wheel as the car swerved.
  • Don't grab at me—ask politely.
  • As the book slipped, he grabbed at it just in time.
  • In the dark, she grabbed at the doorknob to steady herself.
  • The goalkeeper grabbed at the ball but fumbled it.