grope at

grope at (someone or something)

To try, often unsuccessfully, to touch, catch, or grasp someone or something. I groped at Sally's hand as the car came careening down the street. Tanya groped at the string, but it slipped away, and the balloon floated toward the sky.
See also: grope
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

grope at someone or something

to reach for someone or something blindly. She groped feebly at the form she could hardly see. Sharon groped at Frank as he ran out to get the doctor.
See also: grope
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • grope after
  • grope after (someone or something)
  • grope at (someone or something)
  • get (one's) hands on (someone)
  • get your hands on someone
  • get/lay your hands on somebody
  • lay (one's) hands on (someone or something)
  • lay hands on
  • drop (someone or something) on (someone or something)
  • drop on