Clamp

Question

&lt;p&gt;Hi,&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Could someone tell me whether to clamp onto something means the same as to clamp something, please? I'd also like to know how different they are if it does not. I couldn't find an intransitive use of the verb "clamp" in dictionaries..&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Thanks.&lt;/p&gt;

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

You seem to require this for a specific context.  Please supply the context.

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you for your reply, Mister Micawber.

"Suddenly Robin arcs up out of the water. His hands clamp onto John's ankles. Robin heaves with all his might."

In the case above, I think it means he grabs John's ankles, almost squeezing.

"One of the survivors of a deadly grizzly bear attack said Thursday she realized her only hope was to play dead after feeling the bear's jaw clamp onto her arm in the middle of the night."

Here, the bear is biting, I think.

I'm wondering why they use "onto" instead of simply saying "clamp."

Mister Micawber · Answer

Anonymous"Suddenly Robin arcs up out of the water. His hands clamp onto John's ankles. Robin heaves with all his might."In the case above, I think it means he grabs John's ankles, almost squeezing.

Right—squeezing, in fact: it is a hard grip.

Anonymous"One of the survivors of a deadly grizzly bear attack said Thursday she realized her only hope was to play dead after feeling the bear's jaw clamp onto her arm in the middle of the night."Here, the bear is biting, I think.

A single bite, yes, but it is the same meaning as in the first: a very hard grasp (here, with the teeth).

AnonymousI'm wondering why they use "onto" instead of simply saying "clamp."

To simply 'clamp' something is to join it together strongly. When we are gluing two pieces of wood together, we clamp them to be sure the bonding is secure.

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you very much, Mister Micawber.

I think I understand. The point is the number of the things and the purpose. Nobody can just clamp my head without pushing it to something; I can clamp my lips (or mouth?) as pieces of wood. I hope I've got the meaning correctly.

By the way, it seems when we say "to clamp something," the described action is just fastening things tightly, so my hands, for example, are already holding the pieces of wood when I clamp them. I grab them and clamp them. Two different actions.

Now I'd like to know if "to clamp onto" includes the action of clutching/catching/touching.
In other words, is Robin already gripping John's ankles when he arcs up? Or does he arc up and then grab and squeeze his ankles? This is important because the sentences are stage directions..

Mister Micawber · Answer

AnonymousNow I'd like to know if "to clamp onto" includes the action of clutching/catching/touching.

Yes, it does, unless another verb/clause of 'reaching' precedes it.

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you, Mister Micawber.
I really appreciate your help.

Clamp

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