grope
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grope (around/about) for (someone or something)
1. Literally, to attempt to feel or locate something using only one's hands, as in the dark or when one is blind. In the game, one person is blindfolded and they have to grope around for someone to tag. I groped about for a light switch in the pitch-black room. As I groped around for the doorknob, I cursed myself for not turning on the porch light before I left the house.
2. To seek something in a blind, aimless, or uncertain manner, especially to find a solution, meaning, or sense of purpose. We've been groping for a way to pay our mortgage, but I just don't see how we'll be able to afford it. Pretty much everyone gropes around for answers at some point or another in life. Marcie was so upset at the funeral that we all groped about for words of comfort.
grope after (someone or something)
To try, often unsuccessfully, to touch, catch, or grasp someone or something. I groped after Sally's hand as the car came careening down the street. Tanya groped after the string, but it slipped away, and the balloon floated toward the sky. As I groped after the doorknob, I cursed myself for not turning on the porch light before I left the house.
grope at (someone or something)
To try, often unsuccessfully, to touch, catch, or grasp someone or something. I groped at Sally's hand as the car came careening down the street. Tanya groped at the string, but it slipped away, and the balloon floated toward the sky. As I groped at the doorknob, I cursed myself for not turning on the porch light before I left the house.
See also: grope
grope in the dark
1. Literally, to feel about without the use of one's eyes, as due to blindness or an absence of light. I was groping in the dark down in this basement for ten minutes before I could find a light switch. In the game, one person is blindfolded and they have to grope in the dark for someone to tag. As I groped in the dark for the doorknob, I cursed myself for not turning on the porch light before I left the house.
2. To seek (something) in a blind, aimless, or uncertain manner, especially to find a solution, meaning, or sense of purpose. We've been groping in the dark for a way to pay our mortgage, but I just don't see how we'll be able to afford it. Pretty much everyone gropes in the dark at some point or another, trying to figure out the meaning of life. Marcie was so upset at the funeral that we all groped in the dark for words of comfort.
group-grope
vulgar slang A scenario in which multiple, possibly many, people engage in sexual touching or activity. The rumor is that they used to host these creepy group-gropes at that mansion. No way, I'm not going to a group-grope! I am perfectly happy having only one sexual partner, thank you very much!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
grope (about) (for someone or something)
and grope (around) (for someone or something)to feel around blindly for someone or something. In the darkness, he groped about for his glasses. Fran groped for the light switch and found it.
grope after someone or something
to reach for a departing or fleeing person or thing awkwardly or ineffectually. The feeble hand groped after the departing form. I groped after the cat as it ran under the bed.
grope (around)
(for someone or something) Go to grope (about) (for someone or something).
grope at someone or something
to reach for someone or something blindly. She groped feebly at the form she could hardly see. Sharon groped at Frank as he ran out to get the doctor.
See also: grope
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
group-grope
n. a real or imagined group of people engaged in sexual activities. That party turned into a hopeless group-grope.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.