clinch
gb/klˈɪnt͡ʃ/ us/klˈɪnt͡ʃ/
B2
English
bebiztosít, nyélbe üt, szorít, markol, klincsel, összekapaszkodik, klincs, összekapaszkodás, visszahajt, visszahajtott vég
VERB
B2
1
bebiztosít
B2
nyélbe üt
C1
Usage pattern:
clinch [a win/deal/title/place]
A late goal clinched the match for the home team.
Egy késői gól bebiztosította a hazai csapat győzelmét.
They clinched the deal after two weeks of negotiations.
Két hét tárgyalás után nyélbe ütötték az üzletet.
That result clinched her place in the final.
Learner examples
The last point clinched the win.
Az utolsó pont bebiztosította a győzelmet.
We clinched the deal today.
Ma nyélbe ütöttük az üzletet.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use it for any success; it usually implies a decisive final action that makes the result certain.
Meaning
secure something decisively
Collocations
clinch the deal
|clinch a win
|clinch victory
|clinch the title
|clinch a place in the final
|clinch qualification
|clinch the series
|clinch the championship
|clinch an agreement
|clinch a playoff spot
Synonyms
secure (More general and less dramatic than clinch.)
|
seal (Often used for finalizing an agreement or outcome.)
|
lock in (More informal; emphasizes making the result fixed.)
Antonyms
lose (Opposite outcome: failing to win or obtain it.)
|
jeopardize (To put the result at risk rather than make it certain.)
Themes
sports
|business
|success
Definition
To get something you really wanted, so it is now certain.
To make something certain by achieving what is needed to win, finalize an agreement, or confirm a result.
VERB
C1
2
Usage pattern:
clinch [something] (in/with) [your hand/arms]
He clinched the railing as the train lurched forward.
Erősen megmarkolta a korlátot, amikor a vonat hirtelen meglódult.
She clinched the envelope in her hand so it wouldn’t blow away.
Szorosan markolta a borítékot a kezében, nehogy elfújja a szél.
I clinched the strap and ran for the bus.
Learner examples
He clinched the rope tightly.
Erősen szorította a kötelet.
Common mistake:
Often confused with clench. Clench is more common for teeth and fists; clinch is more common for a close hold or for securing a win/deal.
Meaning
grip or hold tightly
Collocations
clinch the railing
|clinch the rope
|clinch the strap
|clinch a note in your hand
|clinch something to your chest
|clinch your hands together
|clinch a bag
|clinch the handle
Synonyms
grip (Neutral and very common for holding tightly.)
|
clutch (Often suggests fear or urgency.)
|
grasp (Slightly more neutral/formal than clutch.)
Antonyms
release (To let go instead of holding tightly.)
|
loosen (To reduce tightness rather than increase it.)
Themes
daily_life
|body_and_health
Definition
To hold something very tightly.
To hold something firmly, especially by tightening your hand or arms around it.
VERB
C1
TECHNICAL
3
klincsel
C1
Usage pattern:
clinch (with) [someone]
The boxer clinched to stop the flurry of punches.
Az ökölvívó klincselt, hogy megállítsa az ütészáport.
They clinched against the ropes until the referee broke them apart.
A köteleknél klincseltek, amíg a bíró szét nem választotta őket.
He kept trying to clinch in the final round to run down the clock.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with general hugging; in this sense it is a fighting tactic and is usually broken by the referee.
Meaning
hold an opponent to stop fighting
Collocations
clinch with an opponent
|clinch to stop punches
|clinch against the ropes
|clinch in the corner
|try to clinch
|break the clinch
|referee breaks them up
Synonyms
grapple (More general; can include wrestling rather than boxing.)
|
tie up (Common in boxing; emphasizes stopping the opponent’s offense.)
Antonyms
disengage (To move apart rather than hold close.)
|
separate (To break contact instead of maintaining it.)
Themes
sports
|combat_sports
Definition
In boxing, to hold the other fighter very close to stop punches.
In boxing or similar sports, to hold an opponent closely so they cannot punch freely, usually to slow the action or recover.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
4
klincs
C1
Usage pattern:
in a clinch
The fighters fell into a clinch near the corner.
A bunyósok a saroknál klincsbe kerültek.
The referee quickly broke the clinch and told them to box.
A bíró gyorsan felbontotta a klincset, és szólt nekik, hogy bokszoljanak.
From the clinch, she landed a short knee before they separated.
Common mistake:
Not the same as the idiom 'in a clinch' meaning in trouble; context usually makes it clear (sports vs everyday life).
Meaning
close hold between fighters
Collocations
a brief clinch
|fall into a clinch
|break a clinch
|get out of the clinch
|from the clinch
Synonyms
tie-up (More informal boxing term for the same situation.)
|
grapple (Broader term; not limited to boxing.)
Antonyms
breakaway (Moving free from close contact.)
Themes
sports
|combat_sports
Definition
A moment when two fighters hold each other closely.
A close hold between fighters, especially in boxing, where they are locked together and punching is limited.
VERB
C2
TECHNICAL
5
visszahajt
B2
Usage pattern:
clinch [a nail/rivet/staple]
Bend the point back to clinch the nail on the other side of the board.
A deszka másik oldalán hajtsd vissza a hegyét, hogy a szög biztosan tartson.
He clinched the rivet with a hammer to lock the plates together.
Kalapáccsal visszahajtotta a szegecset, hogy a lemezeket szorosan összefogja.
The ends are clinched to keep the wire from slipping.
Common mistake:
This is a technical carpentry/metalwork meaning; most everyday uses relate to securing a win/deal or a boxing hold.
Meaning
bend a nail end to fasten
Collocations
clinch a nail
|clinch the point
|clinch a rivet
|clinch a staple
|clinch the ends
|clinch the wire
Synonyms
crimp (Often used for bending/pressing metal to hold it.)
|
bend over (More general description of the action.)
Antonyms
straighten (To undo the bend rather than create it.)
Themes
diy
|tools
|construction
Definition
To bend the end of a nail so it stays in place.
To bend over the pointed end of a nail, staple, or rivet after it passes through material, so it holds firmly in place.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
6
Usage pattern:
a clinch (on) [a nail/staple]
Make sure each nail has a firm clinch so it won’t work loose.
Ügyelj rá, hogy minden szögnek legyen erős visszahajtott vége, különben kilazulhat.
The clinch on this staple is too shallow to hold the fabric.
Ennek a kapocsnak túl sekély a visszahajtott vége ahhoz, hogy megtartsa a szövetet.
Common mistake:
Rare outside technical contexts; many speakers would describe it instead of naming it.
Meaning
a bent-over fastening end
Collocations
a tight clinch
|a secure clinch
|check the clinch
|the clinch on the nail
Synonyms
bend (More general; not specific to fastening.)
Antonyms
straight end (Not bent over; does not secure in the same way.)
Themes
diy
|tools
|construction
Definition
The bent end of a nail that holds it tight.
The bent-over end of a nail, staple, or similar fastener that holds material securely in place.
Grammar
Dictionary form
clinch
IPA
GB/klˈɪnt͡ʃ/
US/klˈɪnt͡ʃ/
Syllables & stress
clinch (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (clinch)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: clinch
- Plural: clinches
Verb
- Base: clinch
- 3rd Person Singular: clinches
- Present Participle: clinching
- Past: clinched
Word family
Forms
clinches
noun
clinching
verb
clinched
verb
Core family
clincher
noun
Expressions
clinch the argument
1/klˈɪnt͡ʃ ðə ˈɑɹɡjəmənt/
fixed phrase
prove your point decisively
To win a debate with a strong final reason.
Examples
- One clear statistic clinched the argument.
- Her final example clinched the argument for everyone in the room.
clinch the deal
1/klˈɪnt͡ʃ ðə dˈil/
fixed phrase
business
finalize an agreement
To finish a business agreement successfully.
Examples
- A small discount clinched the deal.
- They met once more to clinch the deal before the deadline.
Learner examples
- We offered free shipping to clinch the deal.
clinch the title
1/klˈɪnt͡ʃ ðə tˈaɪtəl/
fixed phrase
secure the championship
To win the championship for sure.
Examples
- They clinched the title with two games to spare.
- The team needed one more win to clinch the title.
Learner examples
- They clinched the title last night.
in a clinch
1/ˈɪn ə klˈɪnt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
informal
in trouble or urgent need
To be in a difficult situation and need help.
Examples
- If you’re ever in a clinch, call me anytime.
- We were in a clinch after the flight was canceled and the hotel was full.
Learner examples
- I was in a clinch, so I asked my friend for help.