Snatch at
verb
To suddenly grasp or seize something quickly.
The thief snatched at her purse and ran away.
Often appears as...
- snatch at opportunity
- snatch at hope
verb
To try to get hold of something eagerly, often due to desperation or urgency.
She was drowning and snatched at the lifebuoy.
Often appears as...
- snatch at straws
- snatch at lifeline
Usage tips
Desperate
verb
To suddenly grasp or seize something quickly.
The thief snatched at her purse and ran away.
Often appears as...
- snatch at opportunity
- snatch at hope
verb
To try to get hold of something eagerly, often due to desperation or urgency.
She was drowning and snatched at the lifebuoy.
Often appears as...
- snatch at straws
- snatch at lifeline
Usage tips
Desperate
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Sudden Action
The phrase implies a quick, impulsive action without much thought or deliberation.
He snatched at the bread, starving after the long journey.
Pro Tip 2/3Physical Reach
It often refers to a physical movement of stretching out an arm to grab something.
During the basketball game, he snatched at the ball to intercept the pass.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Impulse
The phrase can convey a sense of desperation or urgency in the speaker's action.
After being trapped for hours, she snatched at the rope lowered to her.
Pro Tip 1/3Sudden Action
The phrase implies a quick, impulsive action without much thought or deliberation.
He snatched at the bread, starving after the long journey.
Pro Tip 2/3Physical Reach
It often refers to a physical movement of stretching out an arm to grab something.
During the basketball game, he snatched at the ball to intercept the pass.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Impulse
The phrase can convey a sense of desperation or urgency in the speaker's action.
After being trapped for hours, she snatched at the rope lowered to her.
Pro Tip 1/3Sudden Action
The phrase implies a quick, impulsive action without much thought or deliberation.
He snatched at the bread, starving after the long journey.
Pro Tip 2/3Physical Reach
It often refers to a physical movement of stretching out an arm to grab something.
During the basketball game, he snatched at the ball to intercept the pass.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Impulse
The phrase can convey a sense of desperation or urgency in the speaker's action.
After being trapped for hours, she snatched at the rope lowered to her.
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