clutch vs peck

clutch

verb
  • To seize, as though with claws. 

  • To unexpectedly or luckily succeed in a difficult activity. 

  • To hatch. 

  • To grip or grasp tightly. 

  • To win in a 1vX (one versus X) situation. 

noun
  • The claw of a predatory animal or bird. 

  • An important or critical situation. 

  • A brood of chickens or a sitting of eggs. 

  • A device to interrupt power transmission, commonly used to separate the engine and gearbox in a car. 

  • A fastener that attaches to the back of a tack pin to secure an accessory to clothing. (See Clutch (pin fastener).) 

  • A small handbag or purse with no straps or handle. 

  • A group or bunch (of people or things). 

  • Any device for gripping an object, as at the end of a chain or tackle. 

  • A grip, especially one seen as rapacious or evil. 

  • The pedal in a car that disengages power and torque transmission from the engine (through the drivetrain) to the drive wheels. 

  • A difficult maneuver 

adj
  • Performing or tending to perform well in difficult, high-pressure situations. 

peck

verb
  • To seize and pick up with the beak, or as if with the beak; to bite; to eat; often with up. 

  • To form by striking with the beak or a pointed instrument. 

  • To strike or pierce with the beak or bill (of a bird). 

  • To type in general. 

  • To strike, pick, thrust against, or dig into, with a pointed instrument, especially with repeated quick movements. 

  • To type by searching for each key individually. 

  • To lurch forward; especially, of a horse, to stumble after hitting the ground with the toe instead of the flat of the foot. 

  • To throw. 

  • To do something in small, intermittent pieces. 

  • To kiss briefly. 

noun
  • A great deal; a large or excessive quantity. 

  • An act of striking with a beak. 

  • A small kiss. 

  • One quarter of a bushel; a dry measure of eight quarts. 

  • Discoloration caused by fungus growth or insects. 

How often have the words clutch and peck occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )