Basic Details
Word: Grapple
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To struggle or try to hold on to someone or something, often in a physical way or to deal with a problem.
Synonyms: Wrestle, struggle, contend
Antonyms: Surrender, yield, let go
Idioms and Phrases
- Grapple with a situation: To try very hard to solve or deal with a difficult problem. Example: "She had to grapple with her decision to move to a new city for a job."
- Grapple for control: To fight for authority or dominance. Example: "The two teams grappled for control of the championship title until the final whistle."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The students had to grapple with their final exam preparation over the weekend.
Example 2: As he grappled with the heavy box, he realised he needed help lifting it.
Example 3: The team grappled with the challenges of the project but eventually found a solution.
Fun Fact
The word "grapple" comes from the Old French word "grappler," which means "to seize," illustrating the concept of holding or engaging with something tightly.
Famous Quote
"It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog." Mark Twain. This highlights the idea of grappling with challenges regardless of the odds.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "grapple" mean?
a) To dance gracefully
b) To struggle or hold tightly
c) To talk quietly
d) To run swiftly
Answer: b) To struggle or hold tightly
2. Which of these is a synonym of "grapple"?
a) Skip
b) Wrestle
c) Swim
d) Jump
Answer: b) Wrestle
3. Which of the following is an antonym of "grapple"?
a) Contend
b) Surrender
c) Strive
d) Battle
Answer: b) Surrender
4. Which sentence uses "grapple" correctly?
a) He decided to grapple his homework today.
b) They grappled with each other in the game.
c) She loves to grapple the guitar.
d) I saw him grapple to school quickly.
Answer: b) They grappled with each other in the game.
5. What does it mean to "grapple with a situation"?
a) To ignore the situation
b) To easily succeed in the situation
c) To try hard to deal with a difficult problem
d) To create a situation
Answer: c) To try hard to deal with a difficult problem
