Firm holds with the hand; tight clutches; third person singular of grip or plural of grip.
From Old English 'gripan' meaning 'to seize.' The word has remained relatively unchanged for over a thousand years, always carrying the sense of holding firmly or taking control.
'Get a grip' and 'lose your grip' are opposites that perfectly illustrate how this physical word became metaphorical for mental or emotional control—language maps our bodies onto our minds.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.