catch a crab
verb1
Hobbies, Lifestyle, Rowing, Sports To strike the blade of the oar against the water when moving the oar back between power strokes.
- I blast off the first few strokes with all the anger and frustration I feel towards Rachel. It works against me. I catch a crab and totally lose it. The boat swings sideways and we have to easy oar or risk slamming into the bank.2014, Pip Harry, Head of the River, page 82: