He gripped the doorknob, fear clutching at his soul.

Meaning: He held the doorknob tightly, feeling very scared.

Choice of Words: Gripped means to hold something tightly, and Clutching describes the feeling of fear grabbing hold of him.

Alternative Expressions

He held the doorknob, fear gnawing at his insides.

Meaning: This sentence means that he was holding the doorknob and he was very scared, like there was something inside of him biting or chewing at him.

Choice of Words: Held means to keep something in your hand or grasp. Doorknob is the round handle that you turn to open a door. Fear is a strong feeling of being afraid. Gnawing means to bite or chew on something. Insides means the inside of a person or thing.

He grasped the doorknob, terror gripping his heart.

Meaning: This sentence means that he was holding the doorknob tightly because he was very scared, like his heart was being squeezed.

Choice of Words: Grasped means to take hold of something tightly. Doorknob is the round handle that you turn to open a door. Terror is a very strong feeling of fear. Gripping means to hold something tightly. Heart is the organ in your chest that pumps blood.

Related Expressions