(è) - to clutch & to grip tightly

Tone 4

è | 7 strokes | radical: 扌

· è

to clutch;

to grip tightly;

to guard;

to control;

to strangle.

to clutchto grip tightlyto guard

Usage highlights

to guard a strategic pointto strangleto controlto grip the throatto clutchto hold firmly

Synonyms

  • to hold; to grasp
  • to grab; to seize
  • to control

Antonyms

  • to release; to let go
  • to loosen; to relax

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The soldier guarded the strategic pass (扼守要隘).
  • He gripped the steering wheel tightly (扼住方向盘).
  • The regime suppressed freedom of speech (扼杀言论自由).
  • They controlled the enemy's supply lines (扼制敌人的补给线).

Collocations

  • to guard a strategic point(扼守)
  • to strangle(扼杀)
  • to control(扼制)
  • to grip the throat(扼喉)
  • to clutch(扼腕)
  • to hold firmly(扼住)

Idioms

  • To sigh in grief or frustration(扼腕叹息)
  • To seize the throat(扼喉抚背)
  • To control a vital point(扼吭拊背)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted a hand gripping something, conveying control or restraint.
  • Used in military strategy to describe controlling strategic locations.
  • The phrase '扼腕叹息' expresses deep regret or frustration through the physical gesture of clutching one's wrist.

FAQ