a coupling that connects or disconnects driving and driven parts of a driving mechanism; "this year's model has an improved clutch"
a pedal or lever that engages or disengages a rotating shaft and a driving mechanism; "he smoothely released the clutch with one foot and stepped on the gas with the other"
a number of birds hatched at the same time
a tense critical situation; "he is a good man in the clutch"
a never-ending cycle of activities and events (especially when they seem to have little purpose); "if we lose the election the whole legislative merry-go-round will have to start over"
a wrestling hold in which the toe is held and the leg is twisted against the joints
a small foothold used in climbing
a relatively insignificant position from which future progress might be made; "American diplomacy provided a toehold on which to proceed toward peace talks"; "his father gave him a toehold in the oil business"
a system of means and activities whereby a social institution functions; "the complex machinery of negotiation"; "the machinery of command labored and brought forth an order"