grip of power

USAGE SUMMARY

"grip of power" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It typically refers to having, or wanting to have, control over something or someone in a very strong way. For example, "The dictator maintained a tight grip of power over the country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Maybe if they didn't tense up, always need to be competitive, always need to be in charge, always need to be the one at the top, men might find that there are benefits from releasing the grip of power," he muses.

The Guardian - Arts

The cash-strapped socialists, however, refused the gift and Buzludzha – once a symbol of the communists' firm grip of power – remained in the firm grip of nature.

Vice

But what 40-year-old Alfaro, and wiry 25-year-old Kumamato have in common is the goal of defeating the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, from its current grip of power in one of Mexico´s most important states.

Vice

There's a really worrying trend of leaders peacefully stealing elections," said Smith, citing subtle methods such as the manipulation of voter rolls by incumbent parties to maintain a grip of power without using outright violence.

Los Angeles Times

After three days the coup collapsed due to the popularity of Boris Yeltsin, but during its brief grip of power Yanayev was made Acting President of the Soviet Union.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

If the Liberal Democrats gain control of both houses of Parliament, Mr. Abe will have the firmest grip on power of any prime minister since his mentor, Junichiro Koizumi, who for a time enthralled Japanese voters with his similar mantra of revitalizing Japan's sluggish economy.

The New York Times

In his speech on the final day of the Lib Dem conference in Glasgow, he said: "I never lose sight of the fact that simply forming a successful coalition unlocks the grip on power of the old, establishment parties.

The Guardian

With the election of the pro-western Petro Poroshenko as president of Ukraine in May 2014 and parliamentary elections in October that consolidated the grip on power of the president's political allies, Kiev is now firmly western-leaning.

BBC

First, the Japanese prime minister split the opposition, strengthening the slippery grip on power of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (see article).

The Economist

The fiasco has exposed the wavering grip on power of Abdullah Badawi, the lame-duck prime minister, who is to be succeeded by Mr Najib in March.

The Economist

Having taken a symbolic step into Honduran territory on July 24th, Mr Zelaya retired to the nearest comfortable hotel on the other side.These stunts have not discernibly loosened the grip on power of the de facto government headed by Roberto Micheletti.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "grip of power" to emphasize a strong, often oppressive, control or influence, especially in political or social contexts. It conveys a sense of dominance and can be used to describe situations where authority is rigidly maintained.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "grip of power" is a strong phrase. Avoid using it in casual conversation or contexts where the level of control or influence is minimal. Opt for simpler terms like "influence" or "control" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grip of power" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or the object of a preposition. It signifies the possession or exercise of control or authority. Ludwig examples showcase its usage in political and social contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academic

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grip of power" denotes a strong hold or control, typically within political or social spheres. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct and suitable for formal contexts like news and media, though less common in casual conversation. Related phrases such as "hand of power" and "grasp of power" offer similar connotations. While conveying dominance, it's crucial to avoid overuse in inappropriate contexts, ensuring clarity and precision in communication. The phrase's function is descriptive and analytical, employed to portray situations where control and authority are asserted firmly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hand of power

Replaces "grip" with "hand", suggesting a more direct and active control.

grasp of power

Substitutes "grip" with "grasp", implying a firm hold and understanding of power.

hold of power

Similar to "grip", but emphasizes the act of possessing and maintaining power.

reins of power

Uses "reins" to evoke the imagery of control and guidance, especially in governance.

levers of power

Emphasizes the mechanisms and instruments used to exercise control.

domain of power

Shifts the focus to the sphere or area where power is exerted.

influence of power

Highlights the effect and reach that power has.

control of power

Directly states the act of managing and directing power.

dominion of power

Implies supreme authority and control over a territory or group.

mastery of power

Suggests a high level of skill and expertise in wielding power.

FAQs

What does "grip of power" mean?

The phrase "grip of power" refers to a strong hold or control over something, typically in a political or social context. It suggests a firm and often unyielding authority.

How can I use "grip of power" in a sentence?

You can use "grip of power" to describe situations where someone or something has a firm and often oppressive control. For example: "The dictator maintained a tight grip of power over the country."

What are some alternatives to "grip of power"?

You can use alternatives like "hand of power", "grasp of power", or "hold of power" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "grip of power" a formal or informal expression?

"Grip of power" is generally considered a formal expression, often used in news, media, and academic contexts. It's less common in casual conversation.