'叼住' (diāo zhù) is a compound verb meaning 'to grip firmly with the mouth' — typically describing an animal holding something in its teeth without letting go. The first character 叼 (diāo) means 'to pick up or carry in the mouth', often used for birds carrying twigs or dogs carrying objects; the second character 住 (zhù) functions as a resultative complement indicating completion or sustained action, here emphasizing that the gripping is secure and maintained.

This verb is most commonly used for non-human subjects — especially dogs, cats, birds, or other animals — and carries a vivid, physical image of clamping down and holding on. It implies intentionality and control, not accidental contact. While humans can technically '叼住' something (e.g., a cigarette), such usage is rare and stylistically marked; the term feels instinctive and best suited to animal behavior, training contexts, or descriptive narration in stories or nature writing.