To lose one’s grip means, broadly speaking, “to lose control” – self-control, control of a situation or control of one’s imagination.
The expression is easily understood when you realize that grip means “tightness” or “grasp” – the act of grabbing something. The image that the phrase lose your grip brings is that of something that is slipping out of our hands, slipping through our clumsy fingers.
If you’ve already read Paulo’s post about the expression to get a grip on something , today’s post may seem superfluous – after all, the expression to lose one’s grip is practically the perfect antonym of that one. However, I think it’s worth taking a look at the examples below. See for yourself and tell us later.
1 – Generally, lose one’s grip is used in relation to controlling one’s emotions or a certain situation. I can say that she lost her grip and started crying , or that the president is losing his grip on the country .
I
don’t know what’s the matter; I think I’m losing my grip .
He must be losing his grip on his followers if they’re beginning to rebel against him.
The funeral service was so sad that I just lost my grip and bawled. (
Actually, bawl is the “cry” or “crying” of a sheep, but it is also often used of humans to create a very expressive image of someone sobbing loudly and inconsolably.)
She could feel herself losing her grip on the situation.
The opposition
feel that the president has lost his grip on the country .
(Why not the opposition feels, you ask yourself. It sounds strange, I know, but it’s another case of collective nouns: the police, the family, the company…)
2 – Although it is not an entirely different meaning, it is worth separating the use of out of touch when used in relation to our mental faculties. For example, it is common to hear someone say that they are out of touch with reality , “disconnected from reality”. Other translations that come to mind are: “to lose touch with reality”, “to disconnect from reality”, etc. Note that here there is a slight implication that the person is going crazy, losing their rational capacity.
Are
you starting to lose your grip on reality ?
Unfortunately ,
lately her mother seems to have lost her grip on reality .
I ‘ve
never seen him so confused and indecisive — he really seems to be losing his grip .
The patient seems to be losing his grip on reality .
He wondered if perhaps he was getting old and losing his grip .
She ‘s
definitely made some bad decisions recently. I think she’s losing her grip .
What did you think of the translation of lose one’s grip ? Does it make sense to you or do you have a better idea? As always, please leave us a comment. Being our reader and visitor is more than just a passive activity, and you can help us too.