clutch

[klʌt͡ʃ]

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An engine's clutch is a mechanism that connects or disconnects the engine from the wheels. It's like a special button that decides when to engage or disengage the car.

When people talk about their "grip" on something, they mean how firmly they're holding onto it – and if you lose your grip, it's because of the clutch. Imagine you're driving a manual transmission car and you need to press the clutch pedal all the way down before shifting gears or stopping the car completely. It's like saying "I've lost my footing" on something, but in this case, it's about losing control over the car. The clutch is like a connection between your foot (the pedal) and the gears – when you're not using it right, you might feel disconnected or like you've lost control.

How common is "clutch"?

Word clutch is considered uncommon in modern English.
It appears most frequently in fiction texts and less often in other writings.

Definitions

noun

The claw of a predatory animal or bird.
(by extension) A grip, especially one seen as rapacious or evil.
A device to interrupt power transmission, commonly used to separate the engine and gearbox in a car.
The pedal in a car that disengages power and torque transmission from the engine (through the drivetrain) to the drive wheels.
Any device for gripping an object, as at the end of a chain or tackle.
A small handbag or purse with no straps or handle.

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clutch bag

verb

To seize, as though with claws.
Example: to clutch power
To grip or grasp tightly.
Example: She clutched her purse tightly and walked nervously into the building.

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