clinch

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "clinch" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb which means to secure or settle something in a definite way, or to hold someone in an embrace. For example, He clinched the deal by signing the contract.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As if to clinch the point, Reid ­directs me to the key metaphor in the book's first sequence, The ­Flowers of Crete, in which the ­seemingly ­unvanquishable Cretan ­minotaur is a metaphor for Lucinda's indestructible sarcoma.

The Guardian - Books

Presumably this could mean any one of the following: stealing her friend's husband because she wants him; being photographed by the paparazzi in a naked sex clinch; demolishing her colleagues with personal slights in the boardroom; and working out where to place genocide on her grossly wonky scale of human ruthlessness.

The Guardian

Two double faults gifted Safarova another break for 6-5 before a snatched volley into the net helped the Czech hold to love and clinch the first set.

The Guardian - Sport

And there are stickers dotted round their training ground declaring: "love Rayo, hate racism", alongside a picture of one of their best-loved players, tragically killed in a car crash in 1989 just after helping them clinch promotion to the first division.

The Guardian - Sport

Aitor Karanka has set Middlesbrough a 12-point target to clinch promotion.

The Guardian - Sport

Either of those teams could clinch a playoff spot with a positive result in that game and the right combination of results elsewhere.

The Guardian - Sport

The Championship play-off jamboree is yet to provide a goal for punters who are breathlessly informed each year that a £90m bonanza awaits the side that claims the prize of being the last to clinch promotion into the Premier League.

The Guardian - Sport

Saints missed several chances to clinch the tie – and Dargo should have had a hat-trick – before a Mark Roberts penalty in the 57th minute led to what had at one point looked like an unlikely fightback.

The Guardian - Sport

And down in bat country, Almería's goalkeeper, who's older than his manager, saves his manager and they clinch their first win of the season, beating Valencia 2-1 at Mestalla.

The Guardian - Sport

If Cameron could persuade Nick Clegg and his nine other MPs that the coalition had been a total success for the Lib Dems and the DUP could be persuaded on board – an HS4 extension to Belfast should clinch it – then he could be back in Downing Street.

The Guardian

In the end, Santos parked the bus and held on to clinch the title, but it got me wondering: has any team ever wasted a five-goal advantage in a two-legged tie?" Send your questions and answers to [email protected] or get in touch via Twitter @TheKnowledge_GU.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clinch" in business writing, ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to finalizing a deal, securing a contract, or achieving a specific target.

Common error

Avoid using "clinch" as a synonym for simply 'achieve' or 'obtain'. "Clinch" implies a sense of finality and securing something that was previously uncertain.

Linguistic Context

Clinch primarily functions as a verb. It signifies finalizing or securing something definitively. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use through numerous examples where it indicates completion or certainty, reinforcing its role in marking a conclusive action or state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "clinch" is a versatile verb commonly used to express the finalization or securing of a deal, victory, or outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Sports reporting. While synonyms like "secure" or "seal the deal" can be used, it's important to remember that "clinch" suggests a sense of finality and certainty. Therefore, avoid using it merely as a synonym for 'achieve' without this specific implication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seal the deal

Idiomatic expression emphasizing finalization and agreement.

secure

Emphasizes the act of gaining or obtaining something, often after effort.

lock in

Implies a firm and unchangeable commitment.

nail down

Highlights precision and completeness in finalizing something.

finalise

A more formal way of saying 'finalize', focusing on completion.

assure

Highlights making something certain or free from doubt.

guarantee

Focuses on providing a formal assurance or promise.

bring home

Focuses on achieving a successful outcome or victory.

settle

Suggests resolving or concluding something definitively.

wrap up

Indicates the completion and finalization of something.

FAQs

How to use "clinch" in a sentence?

You can use "clinch" to describe securing a victory, finalizing a deal, or making something certain. For example, "The team needed one more goal to "secure the win"".

What can I say instead of "clinch"?

You can use alternatives like "secure", "seal the deal", or "lock in" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "clinch the deal" or "clinch to deal"?

"Clinch the deal" is the correct usage. "Clinch" is a transitive verb and directly takes the object (the deal) without the preposition "to".

What's the difference between "clinch" and "achieve"?

"Achieve" refers to successfully reaching a goal or objective. "Clinch" specifically implies securing something, often in a final or decisive manner. The team achieved a high score, but they clinched the championship.