v.
 (grips, gripping, gripped)
  - take and keep a firm hold of.
- (of an emotion or situation) have a strong or adverse effect on. ▸
[often as adj. gripping]
 hold the attention or interest of. 
n.
    - a firm hold. ▸effective control: ![]()  he had to take a grip on his nerves. 
▸an understanding of something. 
- a part or attachment by which something is held in the hand. ▸Brit. a hairgrip. 
- a travelling bag.
- a stagehand in a theatre. ▸a member of a camera crew responsible for moving and setting up equipment. 
Phrase
  
    - come 
(or get)
 to grips with
 - engage in combat with.
- begin to deal with or understand.
 
- lose one's grip
 become unable to understand or control one's situation.
 
  Derivative
  
    - gripper n.
- grippingly adv.
- grippy adj.
 
  Etymology
  OE grippa (v.), gripe ‘grasp, clutch’ (n.), gripa ‘handful, sheath’; rel. to gripe.