take a grab

take a grab (third-person singular simple present takes a grab, present participle taking a grab, simple past took a grab, past participle taken a grab)

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see take,‎ grab.
   • 1883, Edward William L. Davies, A memoir of the rev. John Russell, and his out-of-door life, by the author of 'Dartmoor days',, page 194:

     Even in his gallop he would occasionally take a grab at the point of Russell's foot ; and, had he caught it, would have torn the boot ruthlessly from his leg.

   • 1905, Roger S. Pocock, Curly: a tale of the Arizona desert, Little, Brown, and Company, page 110:

     Ahead on the white road, plain in the moonlight, lay something black, so I swung down my arm in passing, and took a grab. "What d'ye make of this, eh, Pederson ?" / "A silk mask," says he."

   • 2002, Michael Innes, The Ampersand Papers, House of Stratus, page 145:

     He had only to be startled into losing his balance, you might say, and he might take a grab at something, manage only a heavy fall, and go tumbling down, staircase and all.

   • 2010, Michael Cogdill, She-Rain: A Story of Hope, Wordclay, page 104:

     He drew near enough to take a grab at her foot. The grip failed to hold.

2. (Australian rules football) to mark the football, especially overhead
   • 2008, Full Points Footy's WA Football Companion,, page 122:

     Solidly built, he was nevertheless extremely quick, could take a grab, and kicked beautifully with both feet.

   • 2008, H.G. Nelson, Sprays: a collection of verbal touch-ups, Pan Macmillan Australia, page 139:

     Footyheads supporting a variety of clubs actually breathed a sigh of relief knowing that the game didn’t have to stop for seven minutes seventeen seconds every time Matthew took a grab within kicking distance.

• make a grab