grabs at
Lunges to seize
Grabs at means to reach for something hastily or desperately, often without securing it: The drowning man grabbed at the rope.
The phrase suggests incomplete or unsuccessful grasping—you grab at something you might miss.
Figuratively, to grab at an opportunity or excuse is to seize it eagerly, sometimes recklessly: She grabbed at any chance to prove herself.
- attemptsEfforts to accomplish
- fumblesHandles clumsily, drops
- lungesSudden forward movements
- flailsSwings limbs chaotically
- desiresStrong wants or cravings
grasp · yearns · struggles · snatches · reaches · seizes · covets · craves · grapples · scrambles · yanks · holds · latches onto · strives · lusts · pines · pursues · chases
release vs. acquisition
grabs atreleases
Lets go or publishes
drops · relinquishes · ignores · surrenders · discards