bear hug
1 Americannoun
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a strong, tight embrace.
My father gave me a big bear hug as soon as I stepped out of the taxi.
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Wrestling. a hold in which one contestant locks both arms around the other in order to make the opponent fall to the mat.
verb (used with object)
noun
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a wrestling hold in which the arms are locked tightly round an opponent's chest and arms
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any similar tight embrace
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commerce an approach to the board of one company by another to indicate that an offer is to be made for their shares
Etymology
Origin of bear hug1
First recorded in 1920–25
Origin of bear-hug2
First recorded in 1955–60
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Perfect! I’ll take it!” he said, lifting the grandfather clock up in a bear hug.
From Literature
The bear hug, with her chin digging deep into my shoulder.
From Literature
Ice-cold and exhausted, the boys slumped over Nanuq, their arms wrapped around him in a great big bear hug.
From Literature
Molly’s messy bun was sitting loosely on top of her head, and she was clutching Anat in...a bear hug?
From Literature
Sullivan said, pulling his friend in for a bear hug as they both sobbed.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
