take a grab

present singular third person takes a grab · participle present taking a grab · past took a grab · participle past taken a grab

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see take, grab.

   He drew near enough to take a grab at her foot. The grip failed to hold.

   2010, Michael Cogdill, She-Rain: A Story of Hope, Wordclay, page 104

   3 more examples

   Even in his gallop he would occasionally take a grab at the point of Russell's foot ; and, had he caught it, would have torn the boot ruthlessly from his leg.

   1883, Edward William L. Davies, A memoir of the rev. John Russell, and his out-of-door life, by the author of 'Dartmoor days',, page 194

   Ahead on the white road, plain in the moonlight, lay something black, so I swung down my arm in passing, and took a grab. "What d'ye make of this, eh, Pederson ?" / "A silk mask," says he."

   1905, Roger S. Pocock, Curly: a tale of the Arizona desert, Little, Brown, and Company, page 110

   He had only to be startled into losing his balance, you might say, and he might take a grab at something, manage only a heavy fall, and go tumbling down, staircase and all.

   2002, Michael Innes, The Ampersand Papers, House of Stratus, page 145

2. Australian rules footballto mark the football, especially overhead

   Solidly built, he was nevertheless extremely quick, could take a grab, and kicked beautifully with both feet.

   2008, Full Points Footy's WA Football Companion,, page 122

   1 more example

   Footyheads supporting a variety of clubs actually breathed a sigh of relief knowing that the game didn’t have to stop for seven minutes seventeen seconds every time Matthew took a grab within kicking distance.

   2008, H.G. Nelson, Sprays: a collection of verbal touch-ups, Pan Macmillan Australia, page 139