death grip

B2General

An extremely tight and unyielding hold, often implying desperation or extreme determination.

Example

• He held onto the rope with a death grip, refusing to let go.
• Her hands clamped around the steering wheel in a death grip as the car skidded on the ice.

B2Interpersonal

(informal)A strong handshake that feels overly forceful and uncomfortable.

Example

• He greeted me with a death grip handshake that left my hand sore.

C1Slang

(slang)A tight grip on the penis during masturbation, often leading to desensitization.

C1Metaphorical

A situation or condition that is difficult to escape from, often due to fear or anxiety.

Example

• The company found itself in a death grip, unable to recover from the financial crisis.

C2Biology

(technical)The behavior of certain insects, like ants, infected by a fungus, where they bite down on a surface before dying.

Example

• The ant exhibited a death grip on the leaf due to the fungal infection.