jaws
Bite apparatus pair
Jaws are the bony structures that frame the mouth and hold the teeth—the upper and lower parts that open and close for biting and chewing.
The jaws of a tool or machine are the gripping parts that clamp together: the jaws of a vise.
Figuratively, jaws suggest an inescapable grip: the jaws of death, snatched from the jaws of defeat.
To jaw is to talk at length, often tediously. (Capitalized Jaws is the 1975 Spielberg film.)
Lower facial bone
- maxillaUpper jaw bone
- teethEnamel-covered chewing structures
- bitePierce with teeth
- hingeMovable connecting joint
temporomandibular · overbite · underbite · dentition · incisors · canines · molars · chewing
Large semiaquatic tropical reptile
- alligatorLarge American swamp reptile
- wolfWild pack canine
- lionManed African feline
- tigerLarge striped Asian feline
snake · piranha · apex · carnivore · bite · fangs · snap · attack
Mounted clamping tool
- clampDevice for holding tight
- clutchMechanism linking engine to gearbox
- graspSeize or understand
- clenchSqueeze tightly shut
squeeze · lock · forceps · pliers · tongs · pincers · wrench · hold
mandible
Lower facial bone
hinge · temporomandibular · overbite · underbite · dentition · incisors · canines · molars · chewing · gnashing
crocodile
Large semiaquatic tropical reptile
tiger · snake · piranha · apex · carnivore · bite · fangs · snap · attack · prey
vise
Mounted clamping tool
clench · squeeze · lock · forceps · pliers · tongs · pincers · wrench · hold · pinch
chuck
Throw carelessly or informally
drill press · machinery · grippers · actuator · hydraulic · pneumatic · adjustable · tooling · fixture · parallel
clutches
Grips tightly, or handbags
trap · death · fate · defeat · danger · escape · brink · edge · closing in · inescapable
- dinosaur bodyskull, skeleton, bones, tail, teeth
- gripping toolspliers, forceps, combination pliers, clamp, clamps
- predator traitssharp teeth, sharp claws, fangs, claws, talons
- T. rex factsSue, Stan, Scotty, skull, teeth
- fish anatomygills, fins, tail, eye, pelvic fins
- insect anatomyabdomen, antennae, thorax, exoskeleton, head
jawscompliments
Expressions of admiration
praise · flattery · sweet talk · encouragement · reassurance
Device that unlocks restraint
- lower jawSkull's hinged bottom bone
- square jaw
- jaw dropShocked facial expression
- jaw dropped
- glass jawInability to absorb blows
- make someone's jaw dropCause extreme amazement
jaw, jawbone, jawed, jawing, jawbreaker, lockjaw, jawless, jawlike, jawboning