Usage Note
Grappin literally denotes a multi-pronged hook used to grab or anchor. The idiom mettre le grappin sur quelqu'un means 'to get one's claws into someone' or 'to monopolise someone', and is the word's most frequent everyday appearance. The final n is nasal; the final -in sound rhymes with French vin.
Examples
"Il a mis le grappin sur la meilleure place."
Natural Translation
He grabbed the best seat.
Literal Translation
He put the grappling hook on the best seat.
Related Words
Explore French by topic
