clutch
verb [ I or T ] uk/klʌtʃ/ us/klʌtʃ/
C2 （通常指因恐惧、焦虑或痛苦而）紧抓，紧握
to take or try to take hold of something tightly, usually in fear, worry, or pain
Silent and pale, she clutched (onto) her mother's hand. 她一声不吭，面色苍白，死死抓着母亲的手。
Clutching the money to his chest, he hurried to the bank. 他把钱紧紧捂在胸前，急急忙忙赶到了银行。
He collapsed, clutching his stomach. 他紧紧捂着肚子，倒了下去。
Phrasal verb
clutch at something 努力抓住
to try very hard to hold something
Feeling herself fall, she clutched at a branch. 觉得自己要掉下去了，她伸手抓住了一根树枝。
clutch
noun uk/klʌtʃ/ us/klʌtʃ/
(MACHINE PART)
[ C usually singular ]离合器
a device that allows turning movement to be sent from one part of a machine to another
I've booked the car into the garage because the clutch is slipping. 我已约好了时间把车送去修，因为离合器松了。
C1 [ C usually singular ]离合器踏板；离合器手柄
the pedal or handle in a vehicle that is used to operate the engine's clutch
Push the clutch in, put the car into gear, rev the engine, and then gently let the clutch out. 踩下离合器，挂上挡，踩油门，然后慢慢松开离合器。
(GROUP)
[ C ]（尤指鸟巢里的）一窝蛋
a small group of eggs produced by the same bird, especially in a nest
[ S ]（人或物）一小群，一簇，一撮
a small group of people or things
a fresh clutch of students 一群新学生
(CONTROL)
someone's clutchesC2 [ plural ] humorous …的掌控，…的控制
the control of someone
He is in/has fallen into the clutches of that woman. 他落入了那个女人的掌握之中。
Idiom
clutch your pearlsidiom disapproving对某事过度地作出感到惊讶或感到可耻的反应
to behave as if you are very shocked, especially when you show more shock than you really feel in order to show that you think something is morally bad
They clutch their pearls at the rest of the nation's obesity. 他们对国内其他地区的肥胖问题感到不可置信。
Only hypocrites clutch their pearls and faint when the truth is spoken. 当真理被说出时，只有伪君子才会过度反应地假装晕过去。
clutch
adjective [ only before noun ] US /klʌtʃ/ uk/klʌtʃ/ us/klʌtʃ/
在危机时刻可以信赖的，在紧急关头做出的
able to do something when it is especially needed
Moose, always reliable under pressure, was an amazing clutch hitter. 莫斯，抗压力极好，总能在危急关头出人意表地扭转局势。