clinch
noun
Clinch — the boxer's brief, tactical embrace to avoid further blows
Definition
(boxing) the act of one boxer holding onto the other to avoid being hit and to rest momentarily
In depth
In boxing, a clinch is the act of one boxer holding onto the other to avoid being hit and to gain a moment's rest, a brief, tactical embrace within an otherwise violent contest. The word has extended figuratively to describe finally securing or settling something decisively, as in 'clinching a deal,' a sense quite distinct from its athletic origin.
Origin
The word likely derives from 'clench,' related to Old English beclencan, to grip or hold fast, the two words having diverged in spelling and slightly in meaning over time. Boxing's specific technical sense developed alongside the sport's modern codification, while the figurative sense of decisively securing an agreement extended naturally from the same underlying image of a final, firm grip.
Usage examples
"The exhausted fighter clinched repeatedly in the final round, buying himself precious seconds to recover."
"Referees are quick to break up a prolonged clinch, since it can stall the momentum of an entire match."
"The deal was clinched only after months of careful, often frustrating negotiation."
How to use it
Clinch in its boxing sense is precise sports vocabulary, while its figurative sense, meaning to finally secure or settle something, is far more common in everyday business and conversational English, and writers should rely on context to clarify which is intended.
Related concepts
Looking for a word but don't know its name?
Try the Word Finder →