catch a crab

catch a crab

To make a poor stroke while rowing, perhaps by missing the water entirely. The boat jerked as I caught a crab with my oar.

See also: catch, crab

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

catch a crab

(in rowing) effect a faulty stroke in which the oar is jammed under water or misses the water altogether.

See also: catch, crab

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

catch a crab

To make a faulty stroke in rowing that causes the blade of the oar to strike the water on the recovery stroke.

See also: catch, crab

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.