vt (1) 1)抓(抱，咬)住(take a firm hold on sb/sth with one's hand(s)，fingers，arm(s)，teeth，etc)[T+n]：～a thief/a letter 抓住小偷/信;～the rope with both hands 用双手抓紧绳子;～sb firm(ly) by the hand/arm紧紧地抓住某人的手/胳膊;～sb's hand warmly 热情地握住某人的手;〖同〗 seize，snatch，catch;〖反〗 release，free; 2)利用，抓住(make (the best) use of (sth，esp a chance，an opportunity，etc))[T+n](fig)：～an opportunity/one's chances 抓住一个机会/自己的机会;

(2)掌握，领会，理解(understand fully (sth，esp sth said，a meaning，etc))[T+n，T+wh，T+wh-inf]：～sb's argument/sb's meaning领会某人的论点/意思;～present-day scientific theories掌握当今的科学理论;～what sb/the reply meant 领会某人所指/这个答复的含义;He never could～how to use the instrument. 他始终弄不明白怎么使用这台仪器。〖反〗misunderstand;

grasp at (v prep)设法抓住(vt)：～at a branch/some straws with both bands 用双手抓住一根树枝/一些稻草;～at an opportunity 设法抓住一个机会;

n(1) 1)抓(抱，咬)住(firm hold or grip using one's hand(s)， fingers，arm(s)，teeth，etc)[U，a～]：keep sb's hand/take sb/hold a child tightly in one's～紧紧抓住某人的手/某人/紧紧抱着孩子;wriggle out of sb's～挣脱开某人的紧抱;get a good～on the rope 紧紧抓住绳子;take a firm～of the handle 紧紧抓住把手;have a powerful～强有力地握住; 2)控制(力)(control)[U，a～](fig)：in the～of powerful emotions/a dictator陷入强烈的情感之中/处于独裁者的掌握之中;have a thing within one's～使一件事处于自己力量所及的范围内;(sb/sth) be beyond the～of sb 某人抓不到某人/物;free the country from the～of the enemy 把国家从敌人的控制下解放出来;

(2)掌握，领悟，理解(understanding)[U，a～]：have a good/sound/thorough～of English history/tactics/the situation 对英国历史/战术/局势了如指掌/充分了解/彻底了解;(whole lecture/sb's idea) be within/beyond one's～(整个讲座/某人的想法)自己能/不能理解;improve the students'～of algebra 提高学生对代数的理解力;a vague intuitive～of the meaning of greatness in literature 对文学的伟大意义很模糊的了解;

【辨异】grasp 与catch、seize 和clutch 的区别见CATCH。