Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
grip-and-grin

grip-and-grin

9.1
A social event where people shake hands and pose for photos
  • noun
  • /ˈɡrɪp ənd ɡrɪn/
  • Literature
translation icon : saludo fotográfico
  • She felt nervous at the grip-and-grin but smiled for the camera as she shook hands with the guests.

Examples

  • We'll do some grip-and-grin and get ready for the press.

    Nick of Time (1995)

  • The charity event featured multiple grip-and-grin opportunities where guests could shake hands and take photos.

  • During the campaign, many politicians participated in grip-and-grin sessions to connect with voters.

Surface Forms

grip-and-grin singular
grip-and-grins plural

Morphology

grip-and-grin = grip + grin (semi-transparent) = grip + grin

The components 'grip' and 'grin' directly describe actions involved, but the specific idiomatic sense 'a staged social event of brief greetings and photographs' requires cultural/colloquial knowledge beyond literal composition.

Etymology

Grip-and-grin comes from the simple words grip ('to hold or shake hands') and grin ('to smile'). Think of people briefly shaking hands and smiling for the camera, which is why a grip-and-grin is a short social event of quick greetings and posed photos.