claw

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 one of the sharp curved nails on the end of an animal's or a bird's foot: The cat lashed out with its claws. 2 a long, sharp curved part of the body of some types of SHELLFISH, used for catching and holding things: the claws of a crab 3 part of a tool or machine, like a claw, used for holding, pulling or lifting things: a claw hammer (= used for pulling out nails) IDIOMS get your claws into sb 1 (disapproving) if a woman gets her claws into a man, she tries hard to make him marry her or to have a relationship with her: She's really got her claws into you! 2 to criticize sb severely: Wait until the media gets its claws into her. moreatREDadj. verb ~ (at) sb/sth to scratch or tear sb/sth with claws or with your fingernails: [V] The cat was clawing at the leg of the chair. * (figurative) Branches clawed at her hair. * [VN] She had clawed Stephen across the face. * (figurative) His hands clawed the air. IDIOMS claw your way back, into sth, out of sth, to sth, etc. to gradually achieve sth or move somewhere by using a lot of determination and effort: She clawed her way to the top of her profession. * Slowly, he clawed his way out from under the collapsed building. PHRASALVERBS claw sth<->back 1 to get sth back that you have lost, usually by using a lot of effort: The company is trying to claw back its share of the market. * Newcastle managed to claw a goal back. 2 (of a government) to get back money that has been paid to people, usually by taxing them: The Chancellor is expected to claw back ｣2.8 billion in the budget. relatednounCLAWBACK