- a very tight grip caused by fear or panic, as if facing death (often used facetiously): Scared out of my wits, and with a death grip on the motorbike's handlebars, I swore never again to ride on wet pavement.You don’t need to have such a death grip on the bat while waiting for the pitch, you know.
- a very tight grip on someone, as to strangle or completely overpower them: As he knelt, the attacker took him from behind in a death grip, one hand clamped down firmly on his head, the other like a vise around his chest.
- tyrannical or unrelenting control: Debt has a death grip on so many people's lives.These few media giants have had a death grip on the industry for the past decade.
- a very tight grip on the penis when masturbating.
