bear hug
Whole-body clasp
A bear hug is a tight, engulfing embrace—the kind where someone wraps both arms fully around you and squeezes: He greeted me with a bear hug.
The image is of a bear's crushing grip, though the connotation is usually affectionate rather than threatening.
In business, a bear hug is an aggressive takeover offer made directly to a company's board at a premium price, designed to be difficult to refuse.
Heat you feel
- fondnessWarm liking or affection
- closenessState of proximity
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
- loveIntense fond attachment
embrace · cuddle · snuggle · squeeze · comfort · welcome · greeting · reunion
Firm bilateral compression
- claspSecuring device that clicks
- enfoldWrap something completely
- encircleSurround on all sides
- wrapEnclose by winding around
grip · clutch · hold · cradle · envelop · arms · chest · torso
Seize and fight closely
- clinchSettle beyond doubt
- holdMaintain in grasp
- pinPointed metal fastener
- takedownForced grounding maneuver
submission · lock · restrain · immobilize · maneuver · technique · opponent · mat
Firmly stretched or fitting
- crushingOverwhelming in intensity
- powerfulHaving great strength
- overwhelmingIntensely excessive in force
- forcefulExerting strong pressure
constricting · suffocating · smothering · engulfing · inescapable · bone-crushing · all-encompassing · relentless
Protecting from harm
- shelteringProtecting from elements
- comfortingGiving emotional ease
- reassuringRestoring calm or confidence
- secureProtected from harm
safe · enveloping · cocoon · haven · watchful · guardian · nurturing · supportive
warmth
Heat you feel
- fondnessWarm liking or affection
- closenessState of proximity
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
love · embrace · cuddle · snuggle · squeeze · comfort · welcome · greeting · reunion · bonding
squeeze
Firm bilateral compression
wrap · grip · clutch · hold · cradle · envelop · arms · chest · torso · lift
grapple
Seize and fight closely
takedown · submission · lock · restrain · immobilize · maneuver · technique · opponent · mat · referee
tight
Firmly stretched or fitting
- crushingOverwhelming in intensity
- powerfulHaving great strength
- overwhelmingIntensely excessive in force
forceful · constricting · suffocating · smothering · engulfing · inescapable · bone-crushing · all-encompassing · relentless · unyielding
shielding
Protecting from harm
- shelteringProtecting from elements
- comfortingGiving emotional ease
- reassuringRestoring calm or confidence
secure · safe · enveloping · cocoon · haven · watchful · guardian · nurturing · supportive · steadfast
- closenessclose by, close contact, close-knit, next door, up close
- grapplingsubmission hold, chokehold, wrestling match, arm bar, freestyle wrestling
- affectionkiss, care, cuddle, caress, nuzzle
- greetingshi, hello, hey, hola, aloha
- roughhousingroughhouse, roughhousing, rough play, rough and tumble, horseplay
- touchestouch, pat, tap, rub, stroke
bear hughandshake
Mutual palm-gripping gesture
air kiss · limp handshake · cold shoulder · wave · nod
bear hugcold shoulder
Intentional dismissive treatment
turned back · snub · brush-off · rebuff · shunning
bear hughostile takeover
Unwanted corporate buyout attempt
hostile bid · corporate raid · greenmail · dawn raid · proxy fight