clutching

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.