in the grip of somethingin the grip of (something)
controlled by something.
The country was in the grip of a continuing and deep depression.She sways and stomps and even cries when she's in the grip of her music-making.
in the grip(s) of (something)
Controlled, dominated, or greatly affected by something, especially that which is undesirable or adverse. The entire region has been in the grip of a terrible drought.Poor Lauren has been in the grips of pneumonia for nearly a week.
in the ˈgrip of something
experiencing something unpleasant that cannot be stopped: The whole country is in the grip of a serious recession.