clutch vs pounce

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. 

pounce

verb
  • To strike or seize with the talons; to pierce, as with the talons. 

  • To eagerly seize an opportunity. 

  • To sprinkle or rub with pounce powder. 

  • To attack suddenly by leaping. 

  • To leap into the air intending to seize someone or something. 

  • To stamp holes in; to perforate. 

noun
  • Charcoal dust, or some other coloured powder for making patterns through perforated designs, used by embroiderers, lacemakers, etc. 

  • A sudden leaping attack. 

  • A type of fine powder, as of sandarac, or cuttlefish bone, sprinkled over wet ink to dry the ink after writing or on rough paper to smooth the writing surface. 

  • A punch or stamp. 

  • Cloth worked in eyelet holes. 

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