to move forwards with difficulty, especially by using stiff curved fingers to remove the things that are in your way

The rescuers could hear the sound of the trapped people desperately trying to claw their way through the rubble. 救援人员可以听到被困人员的动静，他们拼命想从废墟中用手扒出一条生路来。

figurative Sidney ruthlessly clawed his way (up) from the position of junior clerk to chairman of the company (= he achieved success with effort and by hurting other people). 西尼无情地杀出一条血路，从底层职员爬到了公司总裁的位置。