grasping for power

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grasping for power" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is desperately trying to gain control or influence, often in a political or social context. Example: "In the chaotic aftermath of the election, various factions were grasping for power, each trying to assert their dominance over the others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

His personality held the Tamil Tigers together over the years, but his critics likened him to a cult figure grasping for power, and he is not known to have groomed a successor.

The New York Times

If both parties spent on public service half the money they spend grasping for power, we might actually have a government for the people rather than a government for the government.

The New York Times

Hitler's Monsters: A Supernatural History of the Third Reich by Eric Kurlander will be published on July 18 by Yale University Press.

Vice

Oligarchs Grasping for Power With the exception of Poroshenko, the oligarchs chose to remain neutral in the end unwilling to support Maidan protesters but equally wary of Yanukovych's pro-Kremlin crackdown.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Abusers typically feel very powerless which causes them to grasp for power and control by blaming and shaming others.

Vice

They will not go away quietly, but it's time to ignore the noisy racket from the coal and oil industry as they grasp for power and influence.

Huffington Post

Black intellectuals on the left and right are exposed as fakes grasping for social power.

The Guardian - Books

IF you want to figure out why Newt Gingrich is still out there grasping for lost power, howling at the moon like King Lear, look to Callista.

The New York Times

The Greeks warned about the danger of grasping for godlike powers.

The New Yorker

This incident does not mark the first time Levine has been criticized for grasping for too much power.

Huffington Post

In a city ruled by star power, the Los Angeles Lakers are once again grasping for a beacon powerful enough to guide their glamorous roster.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grasping for power" when you want to convey a sense of desperation or a frantic effort to gain control, especially when the efforts may seem futile or inappropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "grasping for power" in neutral contexts where a simple pursuit of leadership or influence is meant. The phrase carries a negative connotation of desperation or inappropriate ambition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grasping for power" functions as an idiomatic expression, often serving as a critical commentary on someone's desperate or inappropriate attempts to gain control. It acts as a descriptor, adding a negative connotation to the pursuit of authority. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grasping for power" is an idiomatic expression used to describe someone desperately seeking control, often with negative connotations. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English. While grammatically sound, it carries an implication of desperation or inappropriate ambition, making it unsuitable for neutral contexts. It appears most frequently in News & Media and the expert rating is 4.1, reflecting its idiomatic nature and consistent, authoritative usage. Related phrases include "seeking power" and "striving for control", offering alternative ways to express similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeking power

Focuses on the act of actively looking for power, removing the connotation of desperation.

striving for control

Emphasizes the effort to maintain or achieve control, rather than just power.

grabbing at authority

Like "grasping", but uses "grabbing" to emphasize a forceful or opportunistic attempt to gain authority.

pursuing authority

A more formal and direct way of saying someone is trying to obtain authority.

asserting control

Focuses on the act of actively demonstrating and enforcing control.

clutching at straws for authority

Highlights the desperation and lack of viable options in the pursuit of authority.

attempting to seize power

Highlights an effort to take power, often suddenly or unexpectedly.

maneuvering for influence

Suggests strategic actions taken to increase influence, often in a subtle or indirect way.

angling for dominance

Implies a competitive approach to achieving a position of dominance.

fighting for supremacy

Indicates an active conflict or struggle to achieve a superior position.

FAQs

What does "grasping for power" mean?

The phrase "grasping for power" describes a situation where someone is desperately trying to gain control or influence, often implying that their efforts are frantic or inappropriate. It suggests a sense of desperation or instability in their pursuit of authority.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "grasping for power"?

It's appropriate to use "grasping for power" when you want to emphasize the desperation or inappropriateness of someone's attempts to gain control. It's best used when the person's actions seem frantic or ill-considered.

What are some alternative phrases to "grasping for power"?

Alternatives include "seeking power", "striving for control", or "pursuing authority". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "grasping for power" a formal or informal expression?

"Grasping for power" is generally considered an informal and idiomatic expression. While understandable in most contexts, it might be more appropriate to use more formal alternatives like "seeking influence" or "pursuing authority" in formal writing.