a number of birds hatched at the same time
"The mother hen was proud to find her clutch of six fluffy chicks waiting under her wings."
a woman's strapless purse that is carried in the hand
"She reached into her black clutch to find her lipstick before stepping out of the car."
a pedal or lever that engages or disengages a rotating shaft and a driving mechanism
"he smoothely released the clutch with one foot and stepped on the gas with the other"
a coupling that connects or disconnects driving and driven parts of a driving mechanism
"this year's model has an improved clutch"
The claw of a predatory animal or bird.
"The final minutes were a clutch moment that determined whether the team would advance to the playoffs."
A brood of chickens or a sitting of eggs.
An important or critical situation.
In plain English: Clutch means a moment where the outcome depends on what happens next.
"The team was in a clutch when their star player got injured with seconds left on the clock."
Usage: Clutch (noun) refers to a crucial moment or situation where performance is essential; think "He made the winning shot in the clutch." Don't use it to describe a mechanical device unless discussing cars or machinery.
hold firmly, usually with one's hands
"She clutched my arm when she got scared"
affect
"Fear seized the prisoners"
"The patient was seized with unbearable pains"
"He was seized with a dreadful disease"
To seize, as though with claws.
"The mother hen sat quietly to clutch her eggs until they hatched."
To hatch.
In plain English: To clutch means to hatch eggs.
"The mother bird began to clutch her eggs carefully."
Usage: Use "clutch" when referring to eggs breaking open and young birds or reptiles emerging; it describes the act of bringing forth new life from an egg. The mother hen clutched her chicks close.
Performing or tending to perform well in difficult, high-pressure situations.
"The rookie pitcher managed to clutch the game by striking out three batters in the final inning."
In plain English: Clutch means someone performs exceptionally when things get tough.
"The veteran closer proved clutch when the game was on the line."
Usage: Clutch (adj.) describes someone who excels under pressure - think of a player making a game-winning shot. Use it to highlight reliability and performance when the stakes are highest, like "He's a clutch performer during overtime."
The word "clutch" comes from Old English, where it originally meant to clench or grasp tightly. Its roots trace back to ancient Germanic languages describing the action of balling up or amassing things together.