catch
1. verb To see, and perhaps apprehend, someone in the act of doing something (often something nefarious). The robbers were arrested when the police caught them looting another house. I don't watch to catch you kids doing this ever again—the tool shed is far too dangerous to play in! Mom caught us sneaking out to go to that party, so, yeah, we're grounded.
2. verb, slang To see or hear a specific program or event, typically as broadcast on the TV or radio. Did you catch the game last night? What a crazy ending! I wanted to catch the latest episode, but I fell asleep before it came on. Did you catch the State of the Union last night?
3. verb To hear or understand something that has been said. I'm sorry, I didn't catch that last part. Can you repeat it? None of us caught the end of the Senator's remarks because his mic cut out. Did Mom put her hearing aids in? If not, she probably didn't catch anything you were saying.
4. verb To contract a contagious illness. All of my students are sick right now, so I'm not surprised that I've caught a cold, too. With the way you've been sneezing all day, I really hope I don't catch what you have! No, please don't come over—you don't want this nasty head cold I've got.
5. verb To encounter or meet with someone, typically for the purpose of communicating with them. This usage often suggests that the person is busy or rushed, and therefore may have limited availability. Hey, I'm glad I caught you—how's your mom doing? Peg has to sign off on your expense report, so be sure to catch her before she leaves the office. I'll catch you later, man.
6. verb To receive a punishment or reprimand. The phrase "catch it" is usually used for this usage. If I get home past curfew again, I'm really going to catch it from my parents! A: "Man, I caught hell from the boss for losing that big account." B: "We know, we could hear the yelling all the way out here." But if Mom hears us sneaking out to go to that party, we're gonna catch it!
7. verb To notice a problem, error, or inconsistency, often one that is inconspicuous. Oh, Jen caught that spelling error—I never even noticed it. Thank goodness you caught that! I would have looked like a fool turning in a report without the visual aids. So I proofread your letter, and I only caught one minor grammar mistake.
8. verb To notice or detect something. Did you catch the joke at the beginning of the movie? It was pretty subtle. I opened the window and caught a whiff of dinner cooking next door. Of course I caught the flirtatious energy between them—it was pretty darn hard to miss!
9. verb In baseball or softball, to play the position of catcher. Joe is sick, so we need someone else to catch tonight. I know Luke's our best utility player, but he doesn't catch on a regular basis, so let's call up a catcher from the minors. I never had any desire to catch when I played baseball. Constant squatting and collisions with opposing players? No thanks.
10. verb To reach a mode of transportation before it departs. Of course we hit a major traffic jam when I have a plane to catch! Oh, she did catch the bus—the driver saw her running and waited for her. I'm sorry, but if I don't leave now, I won't catch the 5:17 train.
11. verb To stop oneself from doing something. In this usage, "catch" is followed by a reflexive pronoun. Bill tripped over the step but managed to catch himself on the railing before falling. I almost asked about her boyfriend when I caught myself, remembering that they had broken up. When I fell, I just instinctively put out my hand to catch myself, and, well, you can tell by the cast how that worked out.
12. noun A game in which two or more people throw a ball back and forth between them. Now that the weather is nice, you boys should go outside and play catch. You need to play catch more, though—that's how you'll get to be a better fielder. How many times has Mom told you guys not to play catch in the house? Take it outside!
13. noun A problem, drawback, or hidden detriment, often one that is initially concealed as a means of entrapment. I know this sounds like a great job offer, but there's a pretty big catch—I'd have to move across the country. Why are you selling this for so little? What's the catch? I knew there had to be a catch to such a great-sounding deal. Turns out that I only get the money if I convince 10 other people to participate in the scheme.
14. noun An audible break or hesitation in one's voice (typically when one is very emotional). When I heard the catch in her voice, I knew my mom had bad news for me. "Oh no, please don't cry," she said when she heard the catch in my voice. I didn't want there to be a catch in my voice as I told the kids about the accident, but I had a really time holding back tears.
15. noun An amount of something that has been caught or captured, such as while fishing. A: "What was your catch today, boys?" B: "Not great, Earl—only five fish." I'm not a very experienced fisherman, so I don't expect much of a catch when I go out on the boat today. We only caught one of those raccoons, so not the best catch today.
16. noun The identification or recognition of a problem, error, or inconsistency, often one that is inconspicuous. I never would have noticed that spelling error—good catch! Apparently, the profit margin was written as 4.78% when it should have said 4.87%. That was a good catch, Gabriella. A: "Hey, just so you know, you misspelled 'torturous' on page three." B: "Oh, thanks. Good catch!"
17. noun An ideal suitor or prospective mate. Tom's a good-looking guy with a six-figure income—he's a real catch! This friend of mine is a total catch—kind, intelligent, attractive…. Come on, just let me introduce you to him. Look, stop worrying about whether or not you're a good catch—be happy in your own company first, and you'll attract other people naturally.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.