catch1 verbcatch2 noun
catchcatch1 /kætʃ/ ●●● S1 W1 verb (past tense and past participle caught /kɔːt $ kɒːt/) 
WORD ORIGINcatch1
Origin:
1100-1200 Old North French cachier ‘to hunt’, from Vulgar Latin captiare, from Latin captare ‘to try to catch’, from capere ‘to take’VERB TABLE
catch
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | catch |
| he, she, it | catches | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | caught |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have caught |
| he, she, it | has caught | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had caught |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will catch |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have caught |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am catching |
| he, she, it | is catching | |
| you, we, they | are catching | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was catching |
| you, we, they | were catching | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been catching |
| he, she, it | has been catching | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been catching |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be catching |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been catching |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- "Can I see that pen?" "Sure, catch."
- "I bet you can't catch me!" yelled Katie, skipping away.
- "We went fishing." "Did you catch anything?"
- "You can't catch me!" she yelled.
- A lot of burglars never get caught.
- As Yvonne shook her head, her earrings caught the light from the candles.
- Brooks was caught smoking in an airplane lavatory and fined $750 dollars.
- Denise caught the bride's bouquet.
- Did you catch what the book's called?
- Dion caught a cold on vacation.
- Go on, jump. I'll catch you.
- I caught their act at the Blue Note Jazz Club.
- I didn't catch his first name.
- I managed to catch her just as she was leaving the office.
- I only caught about the last 20 minutes of the movie.
- I think I must have caught the flu from Sarah.
- I was about to correct him, but I caught myself in time.
- If we're quick, we should still be able to catch our train.
- If you call around 8:30, you might catch Shirley.
- It's a really funny play, but goes too fast to catch all the jokes.
- Before his eyes dull muddy grass turned into soft reflective banks which caught the sun a thousand ways.
- Every time I get caught or arrested I get asthma.
- From within, I catch the trill of a Pogues song.
- In this way there is less chance of being caught at a disadvantage or being ambushed by circumstances.
- Linder appeared to waver for a moment, like a leaf caught in a breeze.
- They too were caught by surprise.
- They were questioning me about whether I could catch.
- You caught me, I came willingly, and we enjoyed each other.
THESAURUS
to stop someone who is trying to escape, especially by running after them and then holding them: · He raced after her, but he couldn’t catch her.· The police caught the bank robbers after a car chase through the city.
if the police arrest someone, they take him or her to a police station because they think that person has done something illegal: · Wayne was arrested for dangerous driving.· The police arrested him and charged him with murder.
formal if the police apprehend someone they think has done something illegal, they catch him or her: · The two men were later apprehended after they robbed another store.· The killers were never apprehended.· All of the kidnappers were apprehended and convicted.
to catch an enemy or a criminal in order to keep them as a prisoner: · The French king was captured by the English at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356.· The gunmen were finally captured after a shoot-out with the police.
to catch someone, especially in a war, in order to keep them as a prisoner: · 350 soldiers were killed and another 300 taken prisoner.· Ellison was taken prisoner by the Germans during the retreat to Dunkirk.
to make someone go to a place from which they cannot escape, especially by using your skill and intelligence: · Police trapped the man inside a bar on the city’s southside.
to force someone into a place from which they cannot escape: · He was cornered outside the school by three gang members.
Longman Language Activatorto catch a ball or other moving object to get hold of a ball or other object that is moving through the air: · Ted caught the ball and threw it back to his brother.· Jenny tried to catch the frisbee with her left hand but dropped it.
when the police catch a criminal · Police say they are determined to catch the killer.· A lot of thieves never get caught.
if a police officer arrests someone they catch them, tell them officially that they have done something illegal, and take them away: · Police arrested twenty-six demonstrators.· Nine men were arrested in drug raids, Saturday.arrest somebody for something: · Wallace was arrested for assault.· Dwayne has been arrested for drunk driving again.
especially British to catch and punish someone for something illegal they have done: · They still haven't got the man who did it.
informal to catch someone and prove that they are guilty of a crime: · Police use radar to nail speeding drivers.nail somebody for something: · Myers was nailed for selling marijuana.
if the police take someone into custody , they take that person and put them in prison until they appear in court, because they think the person is guilty of a crime: · Officers took three suspects into custody Friday morning.· As soon as the plane landed, the men were taken into custody by waiting FBI agents.
to catch someone doing something wrong to find or see someone while they are actually doing something wrong: catch somebody doing something: · Pat caught her daughter stealing money from her purse.· Brooks was caught smoking in an airplane lavatory and fined $750 dollars.
to catch someone who is in the middle of doing something bad or illegal, especially stealing, when they are not expecting it: · Sperling was caught red-handed attempting to break into a house.· Several graffiti artists were caught in the act on the Brown River bridge.catch somebody in the act of doing something: · He caught Wendy in the act of looking through his personal papers.
British to catch someone stealing money from the place where they work: · The article says that at least five government officials have been caught with their fingers in the till.
to catch someone and make them a prisoner to catch a person in order to make them a prisoner: · They've captured twenty enemy soldiers.· Cole was captured after his plane was shot down outside Hanoi.
to catch several people by bringing them together from different places: round up somebody: · Officers succeeded in rounding up most of the gang members.round somebody up: · People are saying that the civil guard rounded several of the protestors up and shot them.
to catch someone, especially in a war, and keep them as a prisoner: · Ellison was taken prisoner by the Germans during the retreat to Dunkirk.· Military police took Kilby prisoner and locked him in a barn.· 350 soldiers were killed and another 300 taken prisoner.
to catch someone for a second time when they have escaped after being caught once: · Viet Cong forces quickly recaptured the soldiers.· The prisoners were recaptured a few hours after their escape.
to catch someone after chasing them to stop someone from escaping, especially by running after them and then catching them - used especially by children when playing games: · "I bet you can't catch me!" yelled Katie, skipping away.· You choose sides, and one team hides and the other team tries to catch them.
to catch someone by forcing them into a room or space etc that they cannot escape from: · Douglas was cornered by the killers in the back bedroom of a seventh-floor apartment.· The boys cornered him on a subway platform and began beating him.
to catch someone that you have been chasing or trying to catch for some time: · Agents finally caught up with Danvers in Mexico City.
to catch someone in order to kill, hurt, or punish them, after chasing them or trying very hard to catch them: hunt down somebody: · Army troops are hunting down the guerrillas.hunt somebody down: · The agency was created to hunt down war criminals and bring them to justice.
to catch someone by using your skill and intelligence, or by forcing them into a place where they cannot escape: · The men were trapped at a road block near the junction of I-95 and Route 128.· Police have the man trapped inside a bar on the city's southside.
when something starts burning also catch on fire especially American to start burning accidentally: · Two farm workers died when a barn caught fire yesterday.· The car turned over, but luckily it didn't catch fire.· There was an explosion, and the whole garage caught on fire.
to suddenly start burning and produce a lot of flames that cause serious damage: · The plane crashed into the side of the mountain and burst into flames.· Without warning the toaster burst into flames.
if a building or vehicle goes up or goes up in flames , it starts burning very quickly and usually is destroyed by fire: · Be careful with those matches, or the whole place will go up in flames!· The fire spread slowly until it reached the gas cylinders, then the factory went up in flames.· If the oil tanker goes up, it could burn for weeks.
if a fire breaks out , it starts burning accidentally and spreads very quickly: · Over £20,000 worth of damage was caused when a fire broke out in the cellar.· Would you know what to do if a fire broke out in your school?
to suddenly begin to burn, or suddenly burn much more strongly than before, with a strong, bright flame: · The spilled gasoline suddenly flared up in a sheet of flame.· They threw some dry wood onto the bonfire and it flared up, showering sparks into the night sky.
to start burning: · Scientists could not explain why the gas had suddenly ignited.· The compound ignites at 450 degrees Celsius.
when something happens that you did not expect something that is unexpected surprises you because you did not expect it: · There have been unexpected delays on the freeway because of an accident.completely/totally unexpected: · Bobby's decision to leave the band was totally unexpected.
: unforeseen circumstances/problems/changes etc situations, problems, changes etc that you did not expect or prepare for, and which usually cause you difficulty: · We had to cancel our visit to Egypt because of unforeseen problems.· Once you have started the training you will not be allowed to leave, unless unforeseen circumstances arise.
if something that happens is a surprise or comes as a surprise , you did not expect it to happen, and so you are surprised by it: · Winning the award was a total surprise.be a surprise/come as a surprise to: · Fazio's announcement came as a surprise to most political observers.
informal if something happens out of the blue , you did not expect it, and you are very surprised or shocked by it: · Out of the blue, he asked me to come with him to Europe.· One evening, Angela phoned me out of the blue and said she was in some kind of trouble.
informal one that you did not expect, so that you are very surprised: · Mary's the last person you'd expect to be stopped for drunk driving· It's such a quiet little village - it's the last place you'd expect something like this to happen.
to happen or do something when someone is not expecting it and not ready to deal with it: · I was caught unawares by the hug and the kiss he gave me.· Her rude comments really caught me off guard.
formal if something happens contrary to expectations , it is the opposite of what people expected to happen: · Contrary to expectations, the play was a big success.contrary to somebody's expectations: · Michael won the competition, contrary to everyone's expectations.
happening unexpectedly, because no one was told about it: · Investigators from the health department made unannounced visits to the hospital in March.arrive unannounced/show up unannounced: · My brother is famous for showing up at our houses unannounced, usually around dinner time.
if something happens that you did not expect in your wildest dreams , it is so good that you never thought that there was any possibility that it could happen: · In our wildest dreams, we could not have expected how successful this program would be.never in somebody's wildest dreams: · Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined she would win the gold medal.
if you get more than you had bargained for , you have more problems or difficulties while doing something than you had expected or prepared for: · Their summer vacation turned out to be much more expensive than they'd bargained for.· We got more than we bargained for when we bought the house. There's so much work to be done!
to move as fast as someone else to move forward fast enough to reach someone who was in front of you going in the same direction: · We need to start cycling faster or we'll never catch up.catch up with: · Go on ahead. I'll catch up with you later.· The police car caught up with the stolen van after a long chase.
to be getting closer and closer to someone that you are chasing or trying to pass, because you are moving faster than they are: · Run faster -- they're gaining on us!· Seeing the van was gaining on him, he turned suddenly onto a dirt road.
to succeed in moving as fast as someone else, when they are moving very quickly: · Maggie had a stone in her shoe and was finding it hard to keep up.keep up with: · Slow down! I can't keep up with you.· She had difficulty keeping up with J.D.'s long, quick strides.
to get on a bus, plane etc to go onto a bus, train etc at the beginning of a journey: · The train stopped in the middle of the night in Nogales. No one got on or off.· We got on the train at Lime Street Station.· Get on a number 73 bus at the corner. That will take you to Islington High Street.· She's old and needs help getting on and off the bus.
to go into a small vehicle, for example a car or boat: · "Can you give me a lift into town?" "Sure. Get in."· Be careful getting into the boat.· I got in a taxi and went to the hospital immediately.
to get on a particular bus, train, or plane in order to go somewhere: · Stephen caught the 6.15 to Birmingham.· If we're quick, we should still be able to catch our train.· Jonathan looked at his watch. "I've got a plane to catch," he said.
informal to get on a bus, train, plane etc, or get into a car, taxi etc, especially after suddenly deciding to: · Karl hopped on the first plane back to Germany.· "Hop in," shouted Lucy, throwing open the door of her van.· She hopped into a cab and told the driver to go to King's Cross.· "Why not hop in the car and come with us?" Myrtle asked with a sly smile.
formal to get on a ship, plane, or train: · A week later he boarded a ship bound for New York.· Before boarding the plane, Jenny tried once more to call home.
formal to get on a ship - use this especially when a large number of people do this: · A large group had assembled at the pier, waiting to embark.embark for: · Their training completed, the regiment embarked for the war zone.
to climb onto a horse: · Can you help Shelly mount?· He mounted the pony and rode off.
if you get on board or aboard a ship or plane, you get onto it: · It was time to get on board the ship.· A group of men, some in military uniform, climbed aboard the plane.· The ship's crew saluted the President as he came aboard.
when you cannot hear someone or something · Speak up a bit. I can't hear you.· Could you turn the radio up - I can't hear the news.· Let's move nearer to the front. I can't hear very well here.· The music was so loud that I couldn't hear what she was saying.
use this when you did not hear something at all, especially when you did not realize there was anything to hear: · I was outside in the yard, so I didn't hear the phone.· She was staring out of the window and didn't hear the teacher.didn't hear somebody do something: · What time did you get back last night? I didn't hear you come in.didn't hear somebody/something doing something: · She didn't hear the car pulling up outside the house.
spoken say this when you did not hear what someone said, because they were speaking too quietly or because you were not listening carefully: · "What did he just say?" "I didn't quite catch it."· I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name.· He turned away from me so I didn't catch what he said.
spoken to not be able to hear what someone is saying because it is very quiet or unclear: · Mat whispered something but I couldn't make out the words.· She knew they were arguing though she couldn't make out exactly what they were saying,
not loud enough to be heard: · Nick's voice was inaudible through the glass barrier.· Three girls were singing something but their words were almost inaudible.
if you are out of earshot you are not near enough to someone or something to be able to hear them: · As soon as the guards were out of earshot, Grimes explained his plans.out of earshot of: · The social worker wanted to talk to the children out of earshot of their parents.
to start to have an illness to start to have an illness: · I feel all hot - I think I'm getting flu.· Smoking increases the risk of getting cancer.get something from/off someone (=get an infectious disease from someone else): · He thinks he got the cold from someone in the office.
to get a disease from someone else: · Luke has measles. I hope I don't catch it.catch something from/off somebody: · I think I must have caught the flu from Sarah.
also go down with something British spoken to start to have an illness, especially one that is not serious: · I'm afraid we can't come this weekend - the baby's gone down with a sore throat.
to get a not very serious illness such as a cold, a stomach problem etc - use this especially to say where you got it: pick up something: · I picked up a stomach bug on holiday in Turkey.pick something up: · Brendan has a cold. He must have picked it up at school.
to gradually become ill with a particular illness, but not by catching it from someone else: · After her family brought her home from hospital, she developed pneumonia.· It is possible to develop diabetes in adulthood.
to get a serious illness - used especially in formal or medical contexts: · Orwell contracted tuberculosis during the war and eventually died from the disease.· Dr Chalmers is trying to find out how many people may have contracted the disease in her area.
to become better especially spoken · I hope the weather gets better soon.get a lot better · The first part of the book is pretty boring, but it gets a lot better as the story goes on.things get better (=a situation gets better) · If things don't get better, we may end up having to sell the house.get better and better (=continue to get better) · I don't mind training hard, because you get better and better all the time.
especially written to get better: · In the weeks that followed, his health continued to improve.· Some wines improve with age.improve dramatically/greatly etc: · Conditions in prisons have improved dramatically in the last 20 years.
to improve so that you reach the same standard as other people in your class, group etc: · If you miss a lot of school, it will be very difficult to catch up.catch up with: · Although she had never studied German before, Jane soon caught up with the others.catch somebody up: · The other players in the team are better than me, but I'm slowly catching them up.
if a business or economic situation picks up , it improves after a period without much business activity: · Financial commentators think we'll see the economy starting to pick up early next year.· Sales were very slow in the first half of the year, but business is beginning to pick up now.
spoken say this when good things have started to happen to you, and your life seems much better than it was: · Things are looking up - I've got a new job and a new boyfriend.
to notice someone or something to realize that something is there or that something is happening, when you see it, hear it, or feel it: · "Julie's home." "Yes, I noticed her bicycle outside."· Do you notice anything different about my hair?notice (that): · As she was about to leave, she noticed that the kitchen window was open.· Dominic took a huge slice of cake, hoping no one would notice.· I noticed that he was rather quiet during dinner.notice how/when/where etc: · Did you notice what he was wearing?· She was worried that her boss would notice how long she had been gone.notice somebody doing something: · I was about to leave when I noticed someone coming up the driveway.
to know that something is true, because you notice signs that show you this: can see/can tell (that): · We could tell that she had been crying.· I can see you're not really enjoying this.
spoken say this to mention something that you have noticed: I see (that): · I see that the new De Niro movie is playing this weekend.· I see you've been working out.
to see something or someone that is difficult to notice, or something or someone that no one else notices: · I'm glad you spotted the mistake before it was too late.· If you spot Mom and Dad coming, warn me.· I dropped my keys in the grass, but luckily Jim spotted them.spot somebody doing something: · Police finally caught up with Serrano when he was spotted eating in an Upper East Side restaurant.difficult/easy to spot: · She won't be difficult to spot -- she's got pink hair and weighs about 300 pounds.
to gradually begin to notice something: become aware/conscious (that): · I slowly became aware that I was the only woman in the bar.· He became conscious that everyone in the room had suddenly gotten quiet.become aware/conscious of: · It wasn't until after the game that he became aware of the bruises on his legs.· She became conscious of a growing amount of hostility between them.
if something or someone catches your eye , you notice them and like them because they are interesting, attractive, or unusual: · I was walking through the market when a beautiful dress caught my eye.· Wright caught the eye of filmmaker Spike Lee, who featured him in a jeans commercial.
to notice something that is difficult to see, hear etc, especially because it is very small, faint, or unclear: · Marlowe detected a faint smell of perfume as he entered the room.· She wasn't moving or responding, but he detected a slow heartbeat.· Do I detect a note of sarcasm in your voice?· The system is so sensitive that it can detect changes in temperature as small as 0.003 of a degree.
to notice a fact or detail and remember it, because it tells you something about a person or because it might be useful to you in the future: · I noted her habit of looking at the floor whenever I asked her a question.note how/when etc: · He chatted to her, noting how her face reddened every time Ian's name was mentioned.note that: · Note that the compound is more stable at high temperatures.could/can not help but note that: · I couldn't help but note that Jenny doesn't phone or call around to see you anymore.it should be noted that: · It should be noted that the witness did not recognize the defendant.
formal to notice something as a result of watching or studying it closely: · I didn't observe anything out of the ordinary about her behaviour that day.observe that: · Psychologists observed that the mice became more aggressive when they were put in smaller cages.
formal to notice something, especially something that is difficult to notice: · Although Jane thought her father seemed anxious and uneasy, Susan did not perceive any change in his looks or ways.perceive (that): · The prime minister will only resign if he perceives there is no other way out of the crisis.· If they perceive that a military challenge threatens their country's interests, they will not hesitate to fight.
when something happens before it is too late · David said he'd take me to the concert, if he's home in time.· If you don't leave enough space between your car and the car in front, you may not be able to stop in time.in time to do something · Don't worry, I'll be back in time to cook dinner.· She's hoping to be out of hospital in time to celebrate her birthday at home.in time for · Do you think you'll be fit in time for Saturday's race?
happening or done in time, but almost too late: · She put her foot on the brakes just in time.just in time to do something: · He got to the airport just in time to catch the flight to Madrid.just in time for: · Come in. You're just in time for a cup of coffee.only just in time British: · We were only just in time. A few more minutes and the bank would have been closed.
informal just in time to prevent something bad from happening - often used in stories: · Radio contact was established in the nick of time and we managed to transmit a message to the ship.just in the nick of time: · She escaped from her smoke-filled home just in the nick of time.
just in time to prevent something very bad from happening: · The ambulance finally arrived, not a moment too soon.
if something happens at the last minute , it happens at the latest possible time, just before it is too late: · An American businessman stepped in at the last minute to rescue the company.· Realizing its error at the last minute, the magazine just managed to correct the offending headline.
if something happens at the eleventh hour , it happens at the latest possible time, just before it is too late - use this when you had almost given up hoping that something would happen: · War was averted at the eleventh hour when both sides agreed to talks.
to manage to do something, talk to someone, see something etc just before it is too late: · I managed to catch her just as she was leaving the office.catch the post British (=post letters etc in time for them to be collected that day): · The letters were all addressed and stamped, and there was still plenty of time to catch the post.catch the news/a TV programme etc: · She was rushing to catch her favorite show on TV.
British /cut it close American to have very little time left before you have to be somewhere or do something, so that you are almost late: · Kelly had 10 minutes to reach the studio -- even in normal traffic that was cutting it close.cut it a bit fine: · You're cutting it a bit fine aren't you? The show starts in 2 minutes.cut it pretty close: · We cut it pretty close - we only had 30 minutes to get to the airport.
use this to tell or warn someone to do something now in order to prevent something bad from happening that they will not be able to change later: · You'd better get that letter back from her somehow, before it's too late.· We are urging the government to stop the bombing now, before it's too late.
to do something or to happen when someone is not ready informal if you are caught napping by something that happens, you are not expecting it and are not ready to deal with it, although you should expect it and be ready for it: · Stock traders who ignore these signs are in danger of being caught napping when a recession hits.be caught napping by: · Nowadays, no company can afford to be caught napping by a technological development.
to say or do something when someone is not expecting it so that they cannot deal with it as well as they would like to: · "Are you married?" Vick asked, catching her off guard.· The Prime Minister admitted to being caught off guard by news of the attack.
informal to arrive or to do something when someone is not ready, and make them feel stupid or embarrassed: · The city got caught with its financial pants down, and the scandal has led to 12 high-level officials losing their jobs.
British informal to do something, or to happen, when someone is not expecting it and is not ready to deal with it: · The dramatic fall in share prices caught even the experts on the hop.· Many politicians have been caught on the hop by a good interviewer.
informal to try to do something even though you are not ready, especially when you have to pretend you know more about something that you do: · If you are asked a question that you're not ready for, it's better to say "I hadn't considered that" than to wing it and get it wrong.· We have to wing it in the first game, but we'll be more prepared for the next one.
to see someone or something · I saw your brother in town this morning.· Have you seen my pen anywhere?· If you see either of these men, inform the police immediately.· Did you see a white van parked out here earlier today?· When did you last see your dog?see somebody doing something · I saw Matt coming out of the cinema with Jane.· I first saw her feeding the ducks in the park.see somebody do something · She saw him get into a Porsche driven by a dark-haired woman.· I didn't see her arrive because I had my back turned.see who/what/where etc · It was too dark for her to see who the woman was.· Have you seen what Jake's done to his bedroom?can see somebody/something · Shh! I can see someone moving in the bushes.see something with your own eyes (=see something or someone yourself, especially something strange or surprising) · 'How do you know it's true?' 'Because I saw it with my own eyes!'
especially written to see someone or something for only a very short time, and not very clearly: · Rick caught sight of the driver's face as the car raced by.· Lynn caught a brief glimpse of herself in the mirror.
to suddenly see someone or something that you have been looking for, or something interesting or unusual: · A resident spotted a man sitting in his car watching the explosion and notified the police.· He was spotted in the Manhattan area in mid-May.· I spotted this article about it in the paper.
also clap eyes on British to see someone or something -- use this either when talking about the time when you first saw them, or when saying strongly that you have never seen them or never want to see them again: · This was the woman he was going to marry -- he knew it the moment he set eyes on her.· I'd never clapped eyes on the guy before in my life.· I hoped we would never set eyes on one another again.
to see something happen, especially an accident, a crime, or an important event: · Police are appealing for information from anyone who witnessed the attack.· The crash was witnessed by millions of viewers who were watching the race on TV.
especially written to suddenly see something or someone from a long distance, especially when you have been looking for a long time: · The missing boys were sighted by a rescue helicopter.· At least ten birds have been sighted feeding on the lake this year.· We sighted a fishing boat in the distance.
to be able to see someone or something clearly, even though you see them for only a very short time: get a good/proper look (at): · Hold it up to the light so I can get a proper look at it.· I don't think I could identify him. I didn't really get a good look.get a better look (at): · She stood on her toes to get a better look.get a close look (at): · I didn't get a close look at the driver, but I think he was middle-aged.· We drove into the prohibited zone, to get a closer look.
also see at first hand British if you see first hand something that is happening, you see it yourself, rather than being told about it by someone else: · Travelling in rural Thailand, I saw first hand the devastating effects of economic reform. · Central News has been to South America to see at first hand the lives that Oxfam hopes to improve.
to smell something to notice the smell of something, especially by putting your nose near it: · Smell these roses - aren't they lovely?· If you smell gas in the apartment, call this number immediately.· I swear I haven't had anything to drink. Smell my breath.can smell (=notice a smell): · I can smell something burning - are you sure you turned the oven off?
to take quick breaths through your nose in order to smell something: · He opened the milk and sniffed it.· Otto looked around quickly to make sure no one was looking and then sniffed his armpits.sniff at: · The dog was rushing around excitedly, sniffing at the ground.
informal to notice a smell, just for a short time: · I caught a whiff of roast beef as I walked past the kitchen.· Lisa passed so close to Paul that he got a whiff of her perfume.
if an animal scents something, especially another animal, it can smell that it is near: · The dog had scented something in the bushes.· Police dogs have a very keen sense of smell and can scent even the slightest traces of drugs.
· Blind people often have a much better sense of smell than other people.· Smoking can really ruin a person's sense of smell.keen sense of smell (=very good one) · Pigs have a keen sense of smell, which is why they are used to find truffles.
when a disease spreads if a disease spreads or is spread , it is passed from one person to another, and it affects more and more people: · Malaria, spread by mosquitoes, is one of the biggest public health problems in Africa.· AIDS is not spread by common everyday contact.spread through/to/across/from: · Cholera is spreading through the refugee camps at an alarming rate.· Meyer and his team were the first to show how the disease spreads from animals to humans.
also go round British if an illness goes around , it spreads from one person to another, especially in a school, office etc: · There's some type of throat infection going around at the moment.· If one child gets flu, it seems to go round the entire school within a week.
an infectious disease is spread by being passed from one person to another: · Heavy drinkers are generally more susceptible to infectious diseases. · Doctors say that the disease is most infectious in the first twenty-four hours.highly infectious (=very infectious): · The vaccine protects against Hepatitis B, a highly infectious virus.
to get an illness from another person - use this especially about illnesses that are not very serious: · Kristen has the flu, so I guess we'll all catch it.· Dion caught a cold on vacation.
informal an illness or condition that is catching , especially one that is not very serious, can spread from one person to another: · I hope Shelly's cold isn't catching.· I'm keeping Timmy home from school. He has measles and you know how catching it is.
an illness that is contagious can spread easily from one person to another, especially by touch: · Most eye infections are contagious.highly contagious (=very contagious): · Chicken pox is highly contagious.
to begin to understand something to slowly begin to understand a situation or someone's feelings, because you get more information or because you experience something for yourself: · I think it will be a long time before we even begin to understand how damaging the effect has been.· Patients are given written information and videos so that they can begin to understand more about their condition.begin to understand that: · I was beginning to understand that being alone could be terribly depressing.begin to understand why/how/what etc: · As we walked up the narrow staircases, we began to understand why the Dutch haul their furniture up the outside of the buildings and through the windows.
informal to begin to understand something that is not easy to understand: · Thomas isn't catching on as quickly as some of the other children.catch on to: · It took Jennifer a long time to catch on to the fact that Mary was taking advantage of her.catch on fast/quickly: · She catches on fast and will soon be promoted.
spoken to finally understand something, especially after it has been explained to you several times: · Okay, I get it. You only get paid if you sell at least ten copies.· "So the plant takes in carbon dioxide and gives out oxygen." "That's it. You've got it."
to think about something until you understand it, especially something complicated: · Horgan thought he had it all figured out, but he hadn't.figure/work something out: · In case you haven't figured it out yet, we've been tricked.figure/work out how/why/what etc: · Detectives are still trying to work out what happened.
British informal to begin to understand a situation by what you see and hear around you, and not by being told directly: · Oh, I get it, I've twigged at last. How much do you want?twig that: · At last I twigged that I was pregnanttwig why/where/what etc: · It took him about two minutes to twig what I was going on about!
informal to begin to understand a situation by what you see and hear around you, and not by being told directly: cotton on to: · It took him a while to cotton on to what was happening.· Large stores have at last cottoned on to the fact that mothers with pushchairs can't cope with stairs.
if something clicks , especially something you are learning, you suddenly begin to understand it: · Just keep working at it, and suddenly it will all click.
if several facts fall into place , you begin to understand how they are connected and why each one is important, so that you understand a whole situation or subject: · Once the police received this new evidence, things began falling into place.
WORD SETSbalk, verbball game, nounball park, nounballplayer, nounbase, nounbaseline, nounbat, verbbatter, nounblooper, nounbreak, nounbull pen, nounbunt, verbcatch, verbcatcher, nouncentre, noundesignated hitter, noundiamond, noundouble, noundouble, verbdouble-header, noundouble play, nounfastball, nounfirst base, nounfly, verbfly, nounfly ball, nounfoul, verbgrand slam, noungrounder, nounheavy hitter, nounhome base, nounhome plate, nounhomer, nounhome run, nouninfield, nouninning, nounmidfielder, nounmitt, nounmound, nounpark, nounpinch-hit, verbpitch, nounpitch, verbpitcher, nounpitchout, nounplate, nounpop fly, nounrebound, verbrebound, nounrun, nounshortstop, nounshut-out, nounsingle, nounslam dunk, nounslugger, nounspring training, nounsteal, verbstrikeout, nountriple, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
Miss Perry caught hold of my sleeve and pulled me back. If you go back to the city, you’re bound to get caught. He was caught red-handed (=as he was doing something wrong) taking money from the cash register. I have to hurry – I have a bus to catch. Her microphone was forever getting caught on her clothes. We could catch a movie (=go to a movie). I need to catch up on some sleep (=after a period without enough sleep). I’ll leave you two alone – I’m sure you’ve got a lot of catching up to do. At the end of the movie his murky past catches up with him.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Let’s get these wet clothes off you before you catch a chill. Doctors who tried to help the wounded were caught in the crossfire. During a divorce, kids often get caught in the crossfire. She got her foot caught in the wire. They caught a glimpse of a dark green car. Outside, the children were playing cowboys and Indians. Workers who broke the strike risked being attacked when they left the factory. I got caught speeding on the A40 yesterday. As she walked past, I caught a whiff of her perfume.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN
Miss Perry caught hold of my sleeve and pulled me back. If you go back to the city, you’re bound to get caught. (=catch someone while they are doing something illegal) The gang was caught in the act of unloading the cigarettes.
The gang was caught in the act of unloading the cigarettes. He was caught red-handed (=as he was doing something wrong) taking money from the cash register. British English spoken (=get a very bad cold) Don’t stand out in the rain. You’ll catch your death.
Don’t stand out in the rain. You’ll catch your death. I have to hurry – I have a bus to catch. British English (=post letters in time for them to be collected that day)
Her microphone was forever getting caught on her clothes. We could catch a movie (=go to a movie). I need to catch up on some sleep (=after a period without enough sleep). I’ll leave you two alone – I’m sure you’ve got a lot of catching up to do. At the end of the movie his murky past catches up with him.· He’s useless at sport; he can’t even catch a ball.
· Six out of ten travellers get a stomach bug abroad.
· Can we get a bus from here to Reading?
(=travel by cab)· Why don't we take a cab to the theater?
(=be photographed, especially doing something wrong)· The boys were caught on camera leaving the station.
Let’s get these wet clothes off you before you catch a chill. (=start to have one)· I caught a cold and had to miss the match.
· A lot of people get coughs at this time of year.
Doctors who tried to help the wounded were caught in the crossfire. During a divorce, kids often get caught in the crossfire. (also contract a disease formal)· He caught the disease while travelling in Africa.
(=understand the general meaning of what someone is saying) She didn’t quite get my drift, did she?
She didn’t quite get my drift, did she? (=it starts burning)· The boat caught fire and sank.
· Pete caught a really big fish.
(=be in time to get on a plane)· They caught a flight that night to Frankfurt.
She got her foot caught in the wire. They caught a glimpse of a dark green car. (=start holding something quickly and firmly)· She grabbed hold of the letter and tore it open.
· She caught the first plane back to New York.
Outside, the children were playing cowboys and Indians.· The police are no nearer to catching his killer.
(=post your letter in time for it to be collected)· He wrote the letter hurriedly because he was anxious to catch the post.
· We'd better do a bit of batting practice before the game.
(=be outside when it starts raining)· Did you get caught in the rain?
Workers who broke the strike risked being attacked when they left the factory. (=sleep after not having enough sleep)· I suggest you try and catch up on some sleep.
I got caught speeding on the A40 yesterday. (=to be caught stealing from your employer)
· Sorry I’m late – I was stuck in traffic.
· He was in a hurry to catch a train.
(=recorded on video)· The crime was captured on video.
As she walked past, I caught a whiff of her perfume.· Householders who catch burglars in the act may get a bit rough and individual policemen may strike out in some after-hours pub rough-house.· For weeks after that outburst, when we had been caught in the act of friendship, he stopped coming near me.· Well, I've caught you in the act.· Adulterers caught in the act could be stoned to death.· But he's got to be caught in the act.· If you move fast, you can catch them in the act, he says.· Those figures whose legs were unequal - which was most of them - looked caught in the act of moving.· Few thieves are caught in the act.
· Before the lights went down I saw that some one below in the stalls was trying to catch my attention.· When a moving object catches their attention, babies are apt to focus on it.· In fact, Green Chemistry is published so attractively that it catches immediate attention of the readers.· One white woman nearby caught her attention.· We need to catch and hold their attention.· The captive princess caught their attention and they looked curiously at her.· There are other ways for aspiring stars to catch the attention of a record company.· But it caught the attention of Sarandon, who asked to meet with Prejean over dinner.
· Children were playing and throwing a ball for each other to catch.· He caught the ball in rhythm and drained the 3-pointer with 15. 7 seconds left.· The ever-enthusiastic and friendly Bobby Skinstad volunteered to lift me up from behind for me to catch the ball.· He knows how to run routes and catches the ball well.· Winston Churchill, with extraordinary perspicacity, wrote at the time: Meeting an artillery attack is like catching a cricket ball.· He has been catching the ball deeper downfield as the season has gone along.· Meeting an artillery attack is like catching a cricket ball.· He caught the ball and took off, all 320 pounds of him.
· Busacher slumped into the passenger seat and sat catching his breath.· They catch their breath and gripe about the trail.· She could hear Moxie catching her breath.· Tokyo stocks fell Monday as investors caught their breath following a strong advance over the two previous sessions.· It gives me a chance to catch my breath before we set off again.· She caught her breath in fear, holding it until the answer came.· Despite her fear she caught her breath at such beauty.
· She catches the bus at the end of the lane.· Alvin caught the bus to school at six in the morning and made it home by seven at night.· And I've got to catch the team bus at twelve-forty-five.· She was trying to catch the bus that was greedily gobbling up passengers at an angle across the street.· We arrived back in Funchal some twelve hours after we had first caught the bus.· One cool March morning we hiked over to the Mendoza road and caught the twice-weekly bus to Temuco.· We caught a late bus out of Bordeaux and arrived in darkness.· Had set off to catch the bus.
· He caught a bad cold and, thinking that the disease had returned, took his life.· He had enjoyed himself by our fire, but had caught a tremendous cold as soon as he left the mountains.· After addressing a public meeting in support of extending the franchise to agricultural workers he had caught a severe cold.· If Match sneezes, Ankh-Morpork catches a cold.· When he started to tremble, he figured this was the best way to catch a cold.· Then she had caught a very nasty cold which would not budge.· I may be catching a cold.
· To be recalled for a second Pap smear is to catch the disease of fear.· The Assiniboin came in to trade and hung around outside the walls and soon caught the disease.· He had gone further and had suggested that he had actually caught the disease from her.· He is believed to have caught the disease from a patient.· We all get sick, but we do not live in fear of catching every known disease.· You have got to spray as soon as you catch the disease in the crop.· The purpose of the statute was to lessen the risk of cattle catching a contagious disease while in transit.· She hoped she hadn't caught an unmentionable disease from her visit to the news-theatre.
· It seemed to Kelly that she was trying to catch her eye for some reason.· What could be the meaning of the omen which had caught his eye?· If anyone caught her curious eye, they just smiled politely back and got on with their business.· Buy my ice cream catches the eye when it is accompanied by a picture of two good-looking people seducing each other.· She hugged herself, sniffing from time to time, and tried to catch his eye.· Then she caught Chris's eyes, and yes, it was, after all.
· A fault in the drying cycle means that the machine overheats and can catch fire.· Sydney withdrew out of range and bombarded Emden with shells from her 6in guns until she caught fire.· Worse, he was caught in the cross fire of local conflicts.· The plaintiffs were assured that there was no danger of the oil catching fire on water and continued welding.· In the second half, Eddie catches fire.· We know that the next falling star is almost certain to get too close to the sun, and catch fire!· His pants were about to catch fire.
· It would surely take less effort to catch a fish itself.· She ordered him to return to the place where he had caught the fish and ask for a nice cottage.· Alan Soden told the court that he caught the fish because his family was desperate for food.· Assume that the skipper can catch a fish dinner in 10 hours and build a thatched hut in 20.· They say you can catch really big fish.· The bridge on State Road 46 is another good spot to catch the fish, using minnows.· Don't you know you're using that boy like bait to catch a fish?· Luckily their cargo included rice which they supplemented by catching fish and collecting rainwater.
· And he had deliberately caught his flight with just minutes to spare.· Bernstein caught the first flight out of Washington Friday, August 25, and again spent most of the day with Ruby.· Perhaps she had witnessed the attack on her father but had had to leave in order to catch the designated flight.· It was one reason why I caught the first flight home.· She was so distressed that she caught the first flight from Calcutta to New Delhi.· A week ago her plan had been to give Travis the slip and catch the first flight out.· He must catch a flight to Washington to tell a committee that the cities need more money.
· You will also catch a glimpse of the Big Wheel in the famous Peter fairground.· No one ever caught a glimpse of his furrowed face smiling over innocent pleasantries.· Sometimes I had caught glimpses of his shadow on the wall.· Occasionally they caught a glimpse of trees on the canyon rim, five thousand feet above.· She caught a glimpse of his paleness at the window of the bathroom on the first floor.· Above them were fields of blazing stars and on some of the curves Marge caught a glimpse of moonlight on rolling surf.· The car slowed down and a chill swept over as she caught a glimpse of the driver.· Perhaps I might catch a glimpse of Frank.
· The whole problem was going to be catching her off her guard.· She really caught me off guard with her comments.· The announcement of the opening came suddenly that morning, and many boats were caught off guard.· It feels good to Jody, but she is caught off guard.· This catches William off his guard.· Penelope flinched, angry at her thoughts, and at the girl who had caught her off guard.· The words caught him off guard.· The president faces issues that can catch him off guard and undermine his authority.
· It catches people's imagination, and becomes, as Harry wanted, a kind of pictogram to represent the whole range.· The technology has caught the imagination of many.· Now genetics has become the science that catches the collective imagination as does no other.· The Berlin airlift caught the imagination of the world.· Microscopes caught the imagination, as well they might.· Political hacking is starting to catch the imagination of the Left.· At the turn of the century Paris caught people's imagination.· That is one of the reasons why container gardening catches the imagination.
· Floyd has also caught 16 passes.· He had nine carries for 47 yards and caught three passes for 48 yards.· Michael Irvin caught six passes and never once signaled for his own first down.· Jeff George threw for 260 yards, with Tim Brown catching seven passes for 107 yards.· Truitt caught 10 passes for 131 yards.· He caught just three passes for 25 yards and seemed to be used as a decoy most of the game.· He caught four passes for 26 yards, again more than all of last year.· He also caught a 34-yard scoring pass from Morgan.
· The only chance was to catch the overnight plane.· He caught a plane last night.· Arriving late to find all moving stairways were out of order a panicky half mile sprint was needed to catch our plane.· She caught the first plane back to New York.· When I heard she was with you, I caught the next plane to Nice.· Had they seen Saturday's encounter, the Kiwis might have been tempted to catch a plane home.· I have a guest house where you can stay and I will make sure you catch your planes.· By the time she was discovered, it would be too late for her to catch the plane.
· Dalgliesh could glimpse what was obviously her herb garden planted in elegant terracotta pots carefully disposed to catch the sun.· Up in the woods many of the buds that catch the sun have begun to pop.· Soon, they would catch up with the sun and obscure it.· A flock of dunlin flew across the marsh in a silver swirl, catching the sun, dazzling the eye.· Before his eyes dull muddy grass turned into soft reflective banks which caught the sun a thousand ways.· These beautiful evergreen trees catch the sun and produce wonderful sculptural forms.· Turning uphill, her mirrored glasses catching the hot sun, she looks ready to cry.
· He caught me by surprise and I sounded foolish.· Welch and I had a rather heated exchange about the appropriateness of his editorial interference, which had caught me by surprise.· Billy had caught him by surprise.· The chill in the air caught me by surprise, a sharp mountain night breeze.· He'd caught her by surprise, that was all.· He dipped her, catching her by surprise, letting her drop backwards.· So the two white girls standing in front of the mirrors are caught by surprise.· They too were caught by surprise.
· After the debate, they dined on hamburgers and talked sports at a local joint before catching a train back to Washington.· Several hours later I was in London making my way to another railway station to catch the train going North.· Panicky civilians raced to the railway station to catch any train heading south.· I hang round the station a bit, watching the people all hurrying to catch their trains.· Maybe she had caught a train to New Rochelle.· After seeing the competitors set off, there was a dash to Forster Square Station to catch the train to Esholt.
VERB· On the wrong side of the knitting, this looks much neater and stops little fingers getting caught!· And who got caught standing in the rain as gaskets blew and transmissions ground to a halt?· Anyway, we won't get caught.· Orstedt complains wild animals get caught in the fencing while trying to reach the water.· And then I got caught up in being young.· Funny thing is, he repeated the mistake in Game 4, getting caught in a rundown between second and third base.· The people who get caught and imprisoned may not be a representative picture of all criminals.· I could see her debate, trying to decide which was worse: infuriating Rosie or getting caught spying on Lila Sams.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► catch somebody’s attention/interest/imagination etc► not catch something► catch somebody with their pants/trousers downPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► attract/catch/get somebody’s attention► I wouldn’t be seen/caught dead► drop a catch► the early bird catches the worm► like a rabbit/deer caught in headlights► catch/throw somebody off-balance► catch/take somebody off-guard► be taken short/be caught short► be (caught/locked/stuck) in a time warp► catch/get some Z’s
1- I should be able to catch the 12:05 train.
- Kevin catches the bus home on Mondays and Wednesdays.
- After the debate, they dined on hamburgers and talked sports at a local joint before catching a train back to Washington.
- Chris and Patrick had caught a train to London and taken a taxi straight to Richie's flat.
- He caught a plane last night.
- I could catch a bus back into town.
- Maybe she had caught a train to New Rochelle.
- Peter arranged a taxi to Victoria for me to catch a train to Gatwick and the last flight to Edinburgh.
- The second time I caught a bus to the coast.
- They returned to their hotel, packed their bags, and left for Penn Station to catch a train for Washington.
- Okay, Randy, catch you later.
- Can I catch a ride with you?
- I caught a ride as far as Columbus, then hitched to Athens.
- Maybe I should call her and catch a ride with you.
- The next morning, all bandaged up, I stuck out my thumb and caught a ride to Tay Ninh.
- You won't catch me ironing his shirts!
- Almost everyone caught it and almost a third of the population either died from it or had their faces permanently scarred.
- I caught it, held it in my fingers and put it out of the window.
- I guess that tells you where I caught it.
- It harasses other gulls until they drop their hard-won food and then swoops down to catch it - often in mid-air.
- Or a cat will bring home a live mouse to teach her kittens how to catch it.
- She had locked the screen, he knew, to keep the wind from catching it and tearing it off its hinges.
- She threw the door open, catching it before it could strike the wall.
- As she turned to go, Baby Suggs caught a glimpse of some-thing dark on the bed sheet.
- As they rode cautiously along, Fenella caught glimpses of movement in between the trees.
- Back on the main road, Robert caught a glimpse of Aziz the janitor.
- He caught a glimpse of a pinup calendar above a dressing table, some bars of Lifebuoy soap.
- In the warm yellow light of the dining car windows I caught a glimpse of a woman raising a wine glass.
- Many had waited for hours to catch a glimpse of him.
- Sometimes I had caught glimpses of his shadow on the wall.
- This year it is different, and well worth catching a glimpse of the latest from the world's car makers.
- As she caught sight of the house, Breeze came to an abrupt standstill, nearly falling over her own feet.
- As they neared James River and caught sight of our gunboats, a cheer went up from each regiment.
- He had first caught sight of her riding in a ploughed field beyond the barbed wire perimeter of the air base.
- I caught sight of Bobby doing bench presses on a Universal machine near the far wall.
- In that sorrowful but lovely spot, shaded with groves of myrtle, Aeneas caught sight of Dido.
- Jeopardy's eyes slid to the left and he caught sight of Lucien.
- Meryl caught sight of two female journalists, trendy in jumpsuits, their faces hard and confident.
- The crowd in the barroom had caught sight of Mulcahey and called for him to come in.
- For some reason the charcoal isn't catching.
- Investigators said that a lit cigarette caused the curtains to catch fire.
- The car turned over, but luckily it didn't catch fire.
- There was an explosion, and the whole garage caught on fire.
- Two farm workers died when a barn caught fire yesterday.
- And the rivers of water were thick as sludge, slick enough with oil to catch fire.
- Each team started slowly offensively before catching fire in the final seven minutes of the opening period.
- Finally, the bird, while searching for the mouse, accidentally knocked over the woodpile, which caught fire.
- In the midst of this seemingly successful gesture, the hotel catches fire.
- Nine times out of ten it will catch fire in your hands.
- Sydney withdrew out of range and bombarded Emden with shells from her 6in guns until she caught fire.
- The whole thing could catch fire all over the front pages Crocus List and all.
- We know that the next falling star is almost certain to get too close to the sun, and catch fire!
- All of a sudden, something red caught Barb's eye.
- I caught Ben's eye in the rear-view mirror and knew what he was thinking.
- I was walking through the market when a beautiful dress caught my eye.
- Wright caught the eye of filmmaker Spike Lee, who featured him in a jeans commercial.
- I caught myself watching everybody else instead of paying attention to the lecture.
- Don't expect to be caught in the rush.
- He is caught in a storm and crashes.
- He was caught in the end, trying to bury one of the bodies in the cemetery, in a fresh grave.
- She was caught in the seducing current, and she could not break free.
- The actual death toll is much greater because thousands more turtles are caught in fishing nets and suffocate.
- The Tokyo government is caught in a dilemma, according to Hazelwood.
- They are caught in this place of denial and unrealized emotion and desire.
- Worse, he was caught in the cross fire of local conflicts.
- And then history paused, just to catch its breath.
- Both waders immediately filled and I caught my breath as freezing April waters began to stimulate sensitive nether regions.
- Busacher slumped into the passenger seat and sat catching his breath.
- I said, falling on to a chair, trying to catch my breath.
- She caught her breath in fear, holding it until the answer came.
- She could hear Moxie catching her breath.
- The slow movement of this performance is particularly fine, with pianissimos that have you catching your breath.
- Tokyo stocks fell Monday as investors caught their breath following a strong advance over the two previous sessions.
- A flock of dunlin flew across the marsh in a silver swirl, catching the sun, dazzling the eye.
- Before his eyes dull muddy grass turned into soft reflective banks which caught the sun a thousand ways.
- Dalgliesh could glimpse what was obviously her herb garden planted in elegant terracotta pots carefully disposed to catch the sun.
- My chair with its high back and strong iron wheels is positioned correctly to catch the sun.
- Perhaps she had caught the sun.
- Their fantastically long tails danced behind like bridal trains and burst into colour when they caught the sun's final rays.
- These beautiful evergreen trees catch the sun and produce wonderful sculptural forms.
- Up in the woods many of the buds that catch the sun have begun to pop.
- My pregnancy caught us by surprise, but we're happy about it.
- The public's reaction obviously caught the governor off guard.
- We get caught up in the commercial aspects of Christmas.
- And that headdress would get caught up in the overhead wires, you silly boy.
- I am painfully aware of how we get caught up in our times and become contaminated by our own hypocrisy.
- I thought at one time it might be caught up in the Christmas post.
- Kenetech got caught up in that.
- Landowners who get caught up in this bureaucratic runaround receive no compensation for their economic loss as a result of wetland determination.
- Rather than just evolving in a gradual, uniform manner, the earth may actually be caught up in a repeating cycle.
- Some of these girls get caught up in this freedom idea.
- When this is augmented by oddly tangential keyboard sounds it's an enjoyable little maelstrom to be caught up in.
- A badly packed rucksack can easily throw you off balance.
- And despite what he'd said, less a token of affection than a means of throwing her off balance.
- But before Adamowski could get his campaign under way, Daley threw him off balance by going on the offensive.
- He had an authority, an abrupt decisiveness, that caught me off balance.
- It throws the viewer off balance but speaks to the part of each person that is capable, potent and dignified.
- She has a problem with some little gland or other, which can throw her right off balance.
- The movement threw him off balance.
- Waking up to that penetrating ice-blue gaze was enough to throw anyone off balance for the rest of the day.
- Clark had to sit down to catch his breath.
- And then history paused, just to catch its breath.
- Both waders immediately filled and I caught my breath as freezing April waters began to stimulate sensitive nether regions.
- Busacher slumped into the passenger seat and sat catching his breath.
- I said, falling on to a chair, trying to catch my breath.
- She caught her breath in fear, holding it until the answer came.
- She could hear Moxie catching her breath.
- The slow movement of this performance is particularly fine, with pianissimos that have you catching your breath.
- Tokyo stocks fell Monday as investors caught their breath following a strong advance over the two previous sessions.
- Now the local authorities are caught in a cleft stick, hostages to their own political process.
- So the developing countries are caught in a cleft stick.
- Don't go out without a coat! You'll catch your death of cold!
- A porcelain corgi in the window took her fancy.
- And you use everyone, for whatever little scheme takes your fancy.
- Have you been trawling the sales and picking up every urn and tub that caught your fancy?
- I'd wander down the high street, frittering away on whatever took my fancy.
- I am just glad I wasn't Anne Boleyn, or some other lady who took his fancy.
- Selection is not a matter of having everything that takes your fancy.
- Turn to page 14 to see which takes your fancy.
- When Oates took his fancy passing to Boston, Cam Neely thrived.
- The recent recession caught managers flat-footed and unprepared.
- Could the upper management of a leading firm like Merrill Lynch be caught so entirely off guard?
- I said it suddenly like that, just blurted it out, and I guess it caught him off guard.
- Penelope flinched, angry at her thoughts, and at the girl who had caught her off guard.
- She really caught me off guard with her comments.
- The president faces issues that can catch him off guard and undermine his authority.
- The question caught Firebug off guard.
- The words caught him off guard.
- This caught me completely off guard.
- That boy's going to catch hell when he gets home.
- Emilio, no worse than any of the others, nevertheless caught hell most often.
- Many politicians have been caught on the hop by a good interviewer.
- The dramatic fall in share prices caught even the experts on the hop.
- Sorry about the mess but you caught me on the hop like.
- They catch you on the hop.
- Yes, I think I caught her on the hop.
- You caught us on the hop there, ol' buddy.
- The story of a boy raised by monkeys has caught the imagination of millions.
- Nowadays, no company can afford to be caught napping by a technological development.
- Stock traders who ignore these signs are in danger of being caught napping when a recession hits.
- I was reminding the golfing spirits that I could not be caught napping.
- Quakers were caught napping again two minutes later.
- She had the fleeting impression that she'd caught him on the raw.
- Clothes, sleeping bags, spare canvas, all were hung up or spread out to catch a few rays of sunshine.
- The FBI caught the mayor red-handed using drugs.
- A flock of dunlin flew across the marsh in a silver swirl, catching the sun, dazzling the eye.
- Before his eyes dull muddy grass turned into soft reflective banks which caught the sun a thousand ways.
- Dalgliesh could glimpse what was obviously her herb garden planted in elegant terracotta pots carefully disposed to catch the sun.
- My chair with its high back and strong iron wheels is positioned correctly to catch the sun.
- Perhaps she had caught the sun.
- These beautiful evergreen trees catch the sun and produce wonderful sculptural forms.
- Up in the woods many of the buds that catch the sun have begun to pop.
- He caught me by surprise and I sounded foolish.
- He rolled towards Lily, taking her by surprise.
- His deep voice took Romanov by surprise.
- In consequence, untold numbers of sailors died when their destinations suddenly loomed out of the sea and took them by surprise.
- Inspector Montgomery's sudden termination of the interview had taken her by surprise initially, but now she understood his strategy.
- The hug takes him by surprise.
- The thought that had been waiting to be revealed, waiting to take him by surprise.
- Welch and I had a rather heated exchange about the appropriateness of his editorial interference, which had caught me by surprise.
- I was caught unawares by his kiss.
take and hold a)[intransitive, transitive] to get hold of and stop an object such as a ball that is moving through the air: Stephen leapt up and caught the ball in one hand. ‘Pass me that pen, would you?’ ‘Here you are. Catch!’ The kids were throwing and catching a Frisbee down on the beach. b)[transitive] to suddenly take hold of someone or something with your hand: He caught her elbow to steady her. Miss Perry caught hold of my sleeve and pulled me back.2find/stop somebody [transitive] a)to stop someone after you have been chasing them and not let them get away: ‘You can’t catch me!’ she yelled, running away. b)to find a criminal or enemy and stop them from escaping SYN capture: State police have launched a massive operation to catch the murderer. If you go back to the city, you’re bound to get caught.3see somebody doing something [transitive] to see someone doing something that they did not want you to know they were doingcatch somebody doing something I caught him reading my private letters. Gemma turned around and caught the stranger looking at her intently.catch somebody in the act (of doing something) (=catch someone while they are doing something illegal) The gang was caught in the act of unloading the cigarettes. He was caught red-handed (=as he was doing something wrong) taking money from the cash register.catch somebody at it We knew he’d been cheating, but we’d never caught him at it before.4illness [transitive] to get an infectious disease: Anton caught malaria in Mali, and nearly died. Many young people are still ignorant about how HIV is caught.catch something from/off somebody/something Typhoid and cholera are often caught from contaminated water supplies. I caught chicken pox off my friend at school.catch your death (of cold) British English spoken (=get a very bad cold) Don’t stand out in the rain. You’ll catch your death.5catch somebody by surprise, catch somebody off guard, catch somebody napping/unawares (also catch somebody on the hop British English) to do something or to happen when someone is not expecting it or prepared for it: Her question caught him off guard.6catch somebody with their pants/trousers down to discover that someone is doing something that they should not be doing or has not done something that they should have done: He’s not the first politician to be caught with his pants down, and he won’t be the last.7animal/fish [transitive] to trap an animal or fish by using a trap, net, or hook, or by hunting it: Did you catch any fish? Early settlers caught rabbits and squirrels and even rats in order to survive.8catch a train/plane/bus to get on a train, plane etc in order to travel on it, or to be in time to get on a train, plane etc before it leaves: I caught the 7.15 train to London. There’s a train in now. If you run, you’ll just catch it. I have to hurry – I have a bus to catch.9not miss somebody/something [transitive] to not be too late to do something, see something, talk to someone etc OPP miss: I managed to catch her just as she was leaving. I just caught the last few minutes of the documentary. Tumours like these can be treated quite easily if they’re caught early enough.catch the post British English (=post letters in time for them to be collected that day)10get stuck [intransitive, transitive] if your hand, finger, clothing etc catches or is caught in something, it gets stuck in it accidentally: His overalls caught in the engine. Her microphone was forever getting caught on her clothes.11catch somebody’s attention/interest/imagination etc to make you notice something and feel interested in it: Lucie whistled sharply to catch the other girl’s attention. This is a story that will catch the imagination of every child.12not catch something spoken to not hear or understand what someone says: I’m afraid I didn’t catch your name.13hear [transitive] to manage to hear a sound: I caught the muffled thud of a car door slamming in the street.► see thesaurus at hear14catch you later spoken used to say goodbye: ‘I’ll give you a call in a couple of days.’ ‘Okay. Catch you later.’15do/see something [transitive] spoken especially American English to go somewhere in order to do or see something: We could catch a movie (=go to a movie). M Records caught his act and signed him immediately.16catch a ride American English spoken to go somewhere in someone else’s car: I caught a ride as far as Columbus.17you won’t catch me doing something (also you won’t catch me somewhere) spoken used to say that you would never do something: I love dancing but you won’t catch me being the first on the dance floor!18catch it informal to be punished by someone such as a parent or teacher because you have done something wrong: You’ll catch it if Dad finds out.19 catch a glimpse of somebody/something to see someone or something for a very short time: Fans waited for hours at the airport to catch a glimpse of their idol.20 catch sight of somebody/something to suddenly see someone or something that you have been looking for or have been hoping to see: I caught sight of her in the crowd.21describe well [transitive] to show or describe the character or quality of something well in a picture, piece of writing etc SYN capture: a novel that catches the mood of post-war Britain22burn a)catch fire if something catches fire, it starts to burn accidentally: Two farm workers died when a barn caught fire. b)[intransitive] if a fire catches, it starts to burn: For some reason the charcoal wasn’t catching.23catch somebody’s eye a)to attract someone’s attention and make them look at something: Out on the freeway, a billboard caught his eye. b)to look at someone at the same moment that they are looking at you: Every time she caught his eye, she would glance away embarrassed.24catch yourself doing something to suddenly realize you are doing something: Standing there listening to the song, he caught himself smiling from ear to ear.25hit [transitive] to hit someone in or on a particular part of their body: The punch caught him right in the face.26be/get caught in/without etc something to be in a situation that you cannot easily get out of or in which you do not have something you need: We got caught in a rainstorm on the way here. Here’s a useful tip if you’re caught without a mirror.27catch your breath a)to pause for a moment after a lot of physical effort in order to breathe normally again: Hang on a minute – let me catch my breath! b)to stop breathing for a moment because something has surprised, frightened, or shocked you c)to take some time to stop and think about what you will do next after having been very busy or active: It was an enforced absence from work, but at least it gave me a little time to catch my breath before the final push.28container [transitive] if a container catches liquid, it is in a position where the liquid falls into it: Place the baking sheet under the muffin pan to catch the drips.29shine [transitive] if the light catches something or if something catches the light, the light shines on it: The sunlight caught her hair and turned it to gold.30catch the sun informal if you catch the sun, your skin becomes red and sometimes sore because of the effects of sunlight: You’ve caught the sun on the back of your neck.31wind [transitive] if something catches the wind or the wind catches something, it blows on it: Gary swung the sail round to catch the light wind.32sport a)[transitive] to end a player’s innings in cricket by catching the ball that is hit off their bat before it touches the ground b)[intransitive] to be the catcher in a game of baseballTHESAURUS– Meaning 2catch to stop someone who is trying to escape, especially by running after them and then holding them: · He raced after her, but he couldn’t catch her.· The police caught the bank robbers after a car chase through the city.arrest if the police arrest someone, they take him or her to a police station because they think that person has done something illegal: · Wayne was arrested for dangerous driving.· The police arrested him and charged him with murder.apprehend formal if the police apprehend someone they think has done something illegal, they catch him or her: · The two men were later apprehended after they robbed another store.· The killers were never apprehended.· All of the kidnappers were apprehended and convicted.capture to catch an enemy or a criminal in order to keep them as a prisoner: · The French king was captured by the English at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356.· The gunmen were finally captured after a shoot-out with the police.take somebody prisoner to catch someone, especially in a war, in order to keep them as a prisoner: · 350 soldiers were killed and another 300 taken prisoner.· Ellison was taken prisoner by the Germans during the retreat to Dunkirk.trap to make someone go to a place from which they cannot escape, especially by using your skill and intelligence: · Police trapped the man inside a bar on the city’s southside.corner to force someone into a place from which they cannot escape: · He was cornered outside the school by three gang members.catch at something phrasal verb to try to take hold of something: She caught at his arm, ‘Hang on. I’m coming with you.’catch on phrasal verb1to become popular and fashionable: The idea of glasses being a fashion item has been slow to catch on.2to begin to understand or realize somethingcatch on to It was a long time before the police caught on to what he was really doing.catch somebody out phrasal verb1to make someone make a mistake, especially deliberately and in order to prove that they are lying: The interviewer may try to catch you out.2if something unexpected catches you out, it puts you in a difficult situation because you were not expecting it or not fully prepared for it: Even the best whitewater rafters get caught out by the fierce rapids here.catch up phrasal verb1to improve and reach the same standard as other people in your class, group etc: If you miss a lot of classes, it’s very difficult to catch up.catch up with At the moment our technology is more advanced, but other countries are catching up with us.2to come from behind and reach someone in front of you by going fastercatch up with Drive faster – they’re catching up with us.catch somebody up British English You go on ahead. I’ll catch you up in a minute.3to do what needs to be done because you have not been able to do it until nowcatch up on I have some work to catch up on. I need to catch up on some sleep (=after a period without enough sleep).4to spend time finding out what has been happening while you have been away or during the time you have not seen someonecatch up on When I got home I phoned Jo to catch up on all the gossip. I’ll leave you two alone – I’m sure you’ve got a lot of catching up to do.5be/get caught up in something to be or get involved in something, especially something bad: I didn’t want to get caught up in endless petty arguments.catch up with somebody phrasal verb1to finally find someone who has been doing something illegal and punish them: It took six years for the law to catch up with them.2if something bad from the past catches up with you, you cannot avoid dealing with it any longer: At the end of the movie his murky past catches up with him.catch1 verbcatch2 noun
catchcatch2 ●●○ noun EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Each morning, Troy goes down to the fish market to inspect the daily catch.
- Many of the best deals come with a catch: they are only good through early summer.
- That was a great catch!
- The catch is that you can't enter the contest unless you have spent $50 in the store.
- The catch on my necklace is broken.
- The deal comes with a catch - you have to buy one before June.
- You get free meals and accommodation, but there's a catch -- you have to look after the children.
- A tall, fair woman with legs as long as Julia Roberts', she would be a catch for his grand party.
- Anglers can take home limit or near limit catches daily.
- Certainly in his bachelor days Johnnie Spencer was the catch of the county.
- Ex-Chiefs wideout Willie Davis has turned five of his 22 catches into touchdowns.
- I read to him, played catch in the alley and taught him how to ride his new bike.
- The men fish and sell their catch along the little promenade.
- There is a catch, however!
Longman Language Activatorto catch a ball or other moving object
to get hold of a ball or other object that is moving through the air: · Ted caught the ball and threw it back to his brother.· Jenny tried to catch the frisbee with her left hand but dropped it.
when the police catch a criminal · Police say they are determined to catch the killer.· A lot of thieves never get caught.
if a police officer arrests someone they catch them, tell them officially that they have done something illegal, and take them away: · Police arrested twenty-six demonstrators.· Nine men were arrested in drug raids, Saturday.arrest somebody for something: · Wallace was arrested for assault.· Dwayne has been arrested for drunk driving again.
especially British to catch and punish someone for something illegal they have done: · They still haven't got the man who did it.
informal to catch someone and prove that they are guilty of a crime: · Police use radar to nail speeding drivers.nail somebody for something: · Myers was nailed for selling marijuana.
if the police take someone into custody , they take that person and put them in prison until they appear in court, because they think the person is guilty of a crime: · Officers took three suspects into custody Friday morning.· As soon as the plane landed, the men were taken into custody by waiting FBI agents.
to catch someone doing something wrong to find or see someone while they are actually doing something wrong: catch somebody doing something: · Pat caught her daughter stealing money from her purse.· Brooks was caught smoking in an airplane lavatory and fined $750 dollars.
to catch someone who is in the middle of doing something bad or illegal, especially stealing, when they are not expecting it: · Sperling was caught red-handed attempting to break into a house.· Several graffiti artists were caught in the act on the Brown River bridge.catch somebody in the act of doing something: · He caught Wendy in the act of looking through his personal papers.
British to catch someone stealing money from the place where they work: · The article says that at least five government officials have been caught with their fingers in the till.
to catch someone and make them a prisoner to catch a person in order to make them a prisoner: · They've captured twenty enemy soldiers.· Cole was captured after his plane was shot down outside Hanoi.
to catch several people by bringing them together from different places: round up somebody: · Officers succeeded in rounding up most of the gang members.round somebody up: · People are saying that the civil guard rounded several of the protestors up and shot them.
to catch someone, especially in a war, and keep them as a prisoner: · Ellison was taken prisoner by the Germans during the retreat to Dunkirk.· Military police took Kilby prisoner and locked him in a barn.· 350 soldiers were killed and another 300 taken prisoner.
to catch someone for a second time when they have escaped after being caught once: · Viet Cong forces quickly recaptured the soldiers.· The prisoners were recaptured a few hours after their escape.
to catch someone after chasing them to stop someone from escaping, especially by running after them and then catching them - used especially by children when playing games: · "I bet you can't catch me!" yelled Katie, skipping away.· You choose sides, and one team hides and the other team tries to catch them.
to catch someone by forcing them into a room or space etc that they cannot escape from: · Douglas was cornered by the killers in the back bedroom of a seventh-floor apartment.· The boys cornered him on a subway platform and began beating him.
to catch someone that you have been chasing or trying to catch for some time: · Agents finally caught up with Danvers in Mexico City.
to catch someone in order to kill, hurt, or punish them, after chasing them or trying very hard to catch them: hunt down somebody: · Army troops are hunting down the guerrillas.hunt somebody down: · The agency was created to hunt down war criminals and bring them to justice.
to catch someone by using your skill and intelligence, or by forcing them into a place where they cannot escape: · The men were trapped at a road block near the junction of I-95 and Route 128.· Police have the man trapped inside a bar on the city's southside.
something that causes difficulties a bad situation that must be dealt with, because it is causing harm or inconvenience, or it is stopping you from doing what you want to do: have a problem: · If you have any problems, give me a call.problem with: · Sue's had a lot of problems with her neighbours recently.cause/create problems: · The new traffic system is causing problems for everyone.solve a problem (=find a way to deal with it): · Scientists still have not solved the problem of what to do with nuclear waste.the drug/crime etc problem: · Federal laws have almost no effect on the crime problem that concerns most people - crime on the streets.problem of: · The problem of substance abuse in high school is widespread.big/serious problem: · Our biggest problem is lack of money.· Whiteflies can be a serious problem that affects produce grown in California and other states.
a problem that makes it more difficult to do something that you are trying to do: · I don't expect major difficulties, although there are still differences to be worked out.difficulty with: · The main difficulty with this method is that it takes twice as long.have difficulty with (doing) something: · Youngsters may have difficulty applying the paint because of its thin consistency.get into difficulty/difficulties (=start to have problems in a situation): · Credit cards make it extremely easy to get into difficulty with debt.economic/financial difficulty: · The nation faces severe economic difficulties.language/technical/legal etc difficulty: · Police officers in most Californian cities need to be able to cope with language difficulties and cultural differences.face/experience difficulty: · Some parents experienced difficulty when they tried to move their children to other schools.be in difficulty/difficulties (=be in a situation that has problems): · Manchester United won easily, and never seemed to be in any difficulty.difficulty of doing something: · The difficulties of counting whales makes most population figures extremely unreliable.
a problem or several problems that make something difficult, spoil your plans etc: · The trouble was caused by a loose connection in the fuse box.· If you used the same tape later and had no sound trouble, the problem is in the video recorder, not the tape.trouble with: · The pilot reported trouble with both engines.have trouble: · We have had a lot of trouble with the car this year.have trouble doing something: · Norris had trouble finding work and is still unemployed.cause trouble: · Snow and freezing temperatures caused trouble at many airports.the trouble with something (=the one feature of something that is a problem): · The trouble with lasagne is that it takes so long to make.
informal a problem or a series of problems that are annoying because they involve a lot of work, arguing, inconvenience etc: · The airline doesn't make seat assignments, which can be a hassle for travelers, but it saves money.· Shopping by mail avoids the hassles of crowded stores at Christmastime.legal/bureaucratic etc hassles: · Byrd says he settled the claim to avoid legal hassles.it's too much hassle: · I don't want to organize a big party - it's too much hassle.
an additional problem that makes a situation even harder to deal with than it already is: · One complication is that the meals also need to be suitable for children of Islamic or Jewish faiths.· Legal and financial complications have made it impossible for the two companies to complete the deal on time.
a small problem within a long process: · The plan has a hitch: drilling holes for the owls in the trees will kill the trees. without a hitch (=without any problems): · The parade went off without a hitch, despite concern about protestors.· The shuttle landed without a hitch at Edwards Air Force Base.there's a hitch: · There was a hitch - about half the employees did not want to move to a different city.hitch in: · Nelson refused to comment on reports of a last-minute hitch in the negotiations.technical hitch: · There's been a slight technical hitch, so we'll have to postpone the video until later.
a small problem which is not very important compared to other things: · There was a slight hiccup when I couldn't find my car keys, but finally we set off.· The airline industry's troubles are a mere hiccup in an otherwise upward growth trend.
a small problem or disadvantage in something which is mainly good and satisfactory: · The cleanup effort was delayed for a few days by some technical snags and equipment problems.hit a snag/run into a snag: · The case hit a snag in October when the judge handling it had to be replaced.last-minute snag: · The House worked out some last-minute snags in the legislation.
a hidden problem or disadvantage in an offer that seems very good - use this especially when you think the problem has been deliberately hidden to trick people: there's a catch: · You get free meals and accommodation, but there's a catch -- you have to look after the children.with a catch: · Many of the best deals come with a catch: they are only good through early summer.the catch is (that): · The catch is that you can't enter the contest unless you have spent $50 in the store.
British small problems that a new company, product, system etc has at the beginning: · After a few teething troubles, the new car worked perfectly.· The disagreement was just one of the teething problems of the partnership.
WORD SETSAC, accessory, nounadapter, nounaerosol, nounalarm, nounarm, nounash, nounattaché case, nounbag, nounbar, nounbarrel, nounbeep, verbbeeswax, nounbell, nounbelly, nounbelt, nounbench, nounbenzine, nounbinding, nounbiro, nounbolt, nounbooth, nounbox, nounbox, verbbrad, nounbriefcase, nounbristle, nounbrolly, nounbrush, nounbucket, nounbuckle, nounbuffer, nounbulb, nounBulldog clip, nounbulletin board, nounbullhorn, nounbung, nounbunting, nounbusiness card, nounbutt, nounbutton, nounbuzzer, nouncable, nouncalling card, nouncan, nouncandle, nouncane, nouncarbon, nouncarbon copy, nouncarbon paper, nouncard, nouncardboard, nouncardboard, adjectivecardboard cut-out, nouncard catalog, nouncarrier, nouncarrier bag, nouncarryall, nouncart, nouncarton, nouncartridge, nouncase, nouncaster, nouncatch, nounCellophane, nouncesspit, nounchain, nounchalice, nounchannel, nounchart, nounchute, nouncitronella, nounclamp, nouncleat, nounclip, nounclipboard, nouncomb, nouncombination lock, nouncompartment, nouncord, nouncrank, nouncrate, nouncrepe paper, nouncycle, noundetector, noundial, noundigital, adjectivedisposable, adjectivedrape, verbdrawing pin, noundryer, noundurable goods, nounDurex, nounearplug, nounelastic band, nouneraser, nouneyelet, nounfabric, nounfelt-tip pen, nounfemale, adjectivefence, nounfiberglass, nounfibreglass, nounfigurine, nounfilament, nounfile, verbFilofax, nounfire extinguisher, nounfirewood, nounfitness, nounflag, nounflagon, nounflagstaff, nounflashlight, nounflat, adjectivefloodlight, nounfoam, nounfoam, verbfog, verbfolder, nounfoolscap, nounforecourt, nounfountain, nounfountain pen, nounframe, nounfunnel, nounfuse, noungadget, noungadgetry, noungargle, verbgas, nounglue, noungoggles, noungold card, noungranny knot, noungravel, noungravelled, adjectivegravelly, adjectivegrease, noungreetings card, noungrommet, noungum, noungun, noungunnysack, noungut, nounhand-held, adjectivehandle, nounhandloom, nounharness, nounhasp, nounhealth, nounhessian, nounhinge, nounhip, nounhoarding, nounhoist, nounholder, nounhook, nounhoop, nounhooter, nounhose, nounhosepipe, nounhub, nounhygiene, nounhygienic, adjectiveillness, nounindented, adjectiveinflatable, adjectiveingrained, adjectiveink, nouninn, nouninnkeeper, nouninsoluble, adjectiveivory, nounjacket, nounjack-knife, nounjoss stick, nounjuggle, verbkey, nounkeypad, nounkey ring, nounKleenex, nounknife, nounknob, nounlabel, nounladder, nounlantern, nounlatch, nounlatchkey, nounlather, nounlather, verbLCD, nounlead, nounlectern, nounlegal pad, nounlens, nounletterbox, nounlever, nounlibrary, nounlid, nounlidded, adjectivelift, nounlight, nounlight bulb, nounlink, nounlinseed oil, nounlitter bin, nounlock, nounlodestone, nounlog, nounloop, verblost property, nounmagnet, nounmagnetic, adjectivemagnifying glass, nounmale, adjectivemantle, nounmanual, adjectivemarker, nounmarker pen, nounmarket day, nounmast, nounmastic, nounmatchstick, nounmaterial, nounmeter, nounmeths, nounmode, nounmortar, nounmortise lock, nounmould, nounmounting, nounmovement, nounnail, nounnameplate, nounnet, nounnib, nounnipple, nounnon-standard, adjectivenoose, nounnotebook, nounnotepad, nounnoticeboard, nounnozzle, nounnut, nounoil, verboilcan, nounoily, adjectiveorb, nounoutfit, nounoutlet, nounovernight, adverbpack, verbpackage, nounpad, nounpad, verbpadlock, nounpaintwork, nounpantyliner, nounpaper, nounpaperclip, nounpasserby, nounpaste, verbpasteboard, nounpatron, nounpatronage, nounpatronize, verbpattern, nounpaving, nounpearl, nounpen, nounpenknife, nounpicket fence, nounpillbox, nounpince-nez, nounpinhead, nounpipe, nounpix, nounpizza parlor, nounplug, nounpocket, nounpocketbook, nounpocket calculator, nounpocket knife, nounpointer, nounpoison, nounpole, nounportfolio, nounPost-it, nounpowder, nounpowdered, adjectivepropellant, nounpropelling pencil, nounpump-action, adjectivePX, nounquarter, verbrack, nounreceptionist, nounreel, nounrefill, nounreflector, nounrefrigerate, verbregimen, nounreservation, nounreserve, verbsachet, nounsack, nounscratchpad, nounscratch paper, nounscreen, nounsealant, nounsealer, nounsearchlight, nounseason ticket, nounseat, nounself-assembly, adjectiveseptic tank, nounservice, nounservice, verbsetting, nounshade, nounsharpener, nounshovel, nounshovel, verbshovelful, nounsilver paper, nounsiphon, nounslat, nounslice, verbslot machine, nounslug, nounsmoke, nounsoot, nounsort, nounspare part, nounspigot, nounsponge, nounspool, nounspout, nounspray, nounspray can, nounspray paint, nounspring, nounstaff, nounstake, nounstalk, nounstandard, nounstaple, nounstapler, nounstationery, nounsteam, nounsteam clean, verbsteel, nounsteel wool, nounstepladder, nounstick, verbstick, nounsticker, nounstilt, nounstopper, nounstorm lantern, nounstrap, nounstreamer, nounstring, nounstub, nounsucker, nounSuperglue, nounswipe, verbswitch, nounswivel, nountab, nountack, nountag, nountag, verbtank, nountap, nountape, nountassel, nountattle, verbtea break, nounthong, nounthread, nountime-saving, adjectivetinder, nountinderbox, nountissue, nountop, nountote bag, nountowel, verbtray, nountrolley, nountube, nountubing, nountwine, nountwo-way mirror, nounumbrella, nounvent, nounvial, nounwaiting room, nounwasher, nounwaste paper, nounwatch, nounwaterspout, nounwheeled, adjectivewhistle, verbwooden, adjectivewriting paper, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY The catch is that you can’t enter the competition unless you’ve spent $100 in the store.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Let’s get these wet clothes off you before you catch a chill. Doctors who tried to help the wounded were caught in the crossfire. During a divorce, kids often get caught in the crossfire. She got her foot caught in the wire. They caught a glimpse of a dark green car. Outside, the children were playing cowboys and Indians. Workers who broke the strike risked being attacked when they left the factory. I got caught speeding on the A40 yesterday. As she walked past, I caught a whiff of her perfume.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
The catch is that you can’t enter the competition unless you’ve spent $100 in the store.· He’s useless at sport; he can’t even catch a ball.
· Six out of ten travellers get a stomach bug abroad.
· Can we get a bus from here to Reading?
(=travel by cab)· Why don't we take a cab to the theater?
(=be photographed, especially doing something wrong)· The boys were caught on camera leaving the station.
Let’s get these wet clothes off you before you catch a chill. (=start to have one)· I caught a cold and had to miss the match.
· A lot of people get coughs at this time of year.
Doctors who tried to help the wounded were caught in the crossfire. During a divorce, kids often get caught in the crossfire. (also contract a disease formal)· He caught the disease while travelling in Africa.
(=understand the general meaning of what someone is saying) She didn’t quite get my drift, did she?
She didn’t quite get my drift, did she? (=it starts burning)· The boat caught fire and sank.
· Pete caught a really big fish.
(=be in time to get on a plane)· They caught a flight that night to Frankfurt.
She got her foot caught in the wire. They caught a glimpse of a dark green car. (=start holding something quickly and firmly)· She grabbed hold of the letter and tore it open.
· She caught the first plane back to New York.
Outside, the children were playing cowboys and Indians.· The police are no nearer to catching his killer.
(=post your letter in time for it to be collected)· He wrote the letter hurriedly because he was anxious to catch the post.
· We'd better do a bit of batting practice before the game.
(=be outside when it starts raining)· Did you get caught in the rain?
Workers who broke the strike risked being attacked when they left the factory. (=sleep after not having enough sleep)· I suggest you try and catch up on some sleep.
I got caught speeding on the A40 yesterday. (=to be caught stealing from your employer)
· Sorry I’m late – I was stuck in traffic.
· He was in a hurry to catch a train.
(=recorded on video)· The crime was captured on video.
As she walked past, I caught a whiff of her perfume.· Harvey was the better catch, and there was her speech to worry about.· Since a doctor or a lawyer is a good catch, he can attract a woman whose family is wealthy.· A man in a uniform was a good catch in these parts.· Mr Cubbage must have seemed a good catch with his fine house, handsome looks and with his obvious wealth.· Her new boyfriend was a young businessman and drove a Sprite and Pam thought he was a good catch.
NOUN· Some 60,000 catch fire every year, killing several hundred people and injuring over 10,000.· One local fisherman is drowned when his boat catches fire and burns.· A spark from the engine ignites the gas, and smoke and flames start to rise as the wood catches fire.
· This is sometimes described in the catch phrase that we must treat like cases alike.· Nearly every economic summit since the first one in 1975 has come up with a catch phrase.· These two catch phrases would later be appropriated by the marketers charged with selling the Macintosh.
· He pulled the trigger, believing that the safety catch was on.· Plummer lowered the weapon, easing the hammer forward and slipping on the safety catch.· He thought the safety catch was on.· She slipped the safety catch into place and deposited the gun on the coffee table beside her.· It came clear from the bag, her finger slipping on to the trigger, thumb freeing the safety catch.· Desperately, he reached for the hidden gun and fumbled with its safety catch.· The man had seen Mike first but had fumbled with his safety catch as Mike killed him.
· Owens is a dangerous playmaker with six touchdown catches.
VERB· On the first day he dropped two catches in the slip / gulley region; one straight forward, the other hard.
· Gough scrambled forward from mid-off but just failed to hold on to the catch.· The batsman failed to survive the over though, Gooch managing to hold on to a slip catch.· Jason Brown at last had a bowl-five innocuous overs-and super-sub Stewart held three catches.· He held 59 catches and took 32 wickets at 47.00 with unremarkable medium-pace.
· Running back at the crack of the bat, Greer leaped high and made the catch with his glove above the fence.· The key to coverage, Carroll said, is tackling the receivers as soon as they make their catch.
· From my second-floor vantage point I could see my classmates as they tumbled out into the quad playing catch with my shoes.· Its polythene wrapping looked vaguely torn and grubby, as if members of the Waitrose staff had already been playing catch with it.· I read to him, played catch in the alley and taught him how to ride his new bike.· My first thoughts were about the two of us playing catch.· I bought one the first day I arrived and have been roaming the streets ever since looking for some one to play catch.
· Wilcox told her to get in and release the bonnet catch.· When the boy releases the catch, we don't get out immediately, because we can't stand up.· The bolts are stiff; the pair of them have some difficulty releasing the catches and sliding them back.
· They cast their lines not far off-shore, and appeared to take excellent catches of fish.· Eventually Rutherford's bat protruded too far forward and enabled Stewart to take a smart catch at short leg.· On a rapid return journey he took the catch of the series so far in his right glove while airborne.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► attract/catch/get somebody’s attention► I wouldn’t be seen/caught dead► drop a catch► the early bird catches the worm► like a rabbit/deer caught in headlights► catch/throw somebody off-balance► catch/take somebody off-guard► be taken short/be caught short► be (caught/locked/stuck) in a time warp► catch/get some Z’s
1[countable] an act of catching a ball that has been thrown or hit: - With a catch in his voice, Dan told her how proud he was.
- A man in a uniform was a good catch in these parts.
- And keep medicines up high, also with a catch on the cupboard.
- He caught 89 passes last year, but he averaged just 7. 7 yards a catch.
- He went to it at once, looking for a catch, a way of releasing it, but there was nothing.
- Since a doctor or a lawyer is a good catch, he can attract a woman whose family is wealthy.
- The law has a catch, however.
- There is a catch, however!
- Within minutes, Honaker felt the telltale movement of a catch moving up the tube.
- A badly packed rucksack can easily throw you off balance.
- And despite what he'd said, less a token of affection than a means of throwing her off balance.
- But before Adamowski could get his campaign under way, Daley threw him off balance by going on the offensive.
- He had an authority, an abrupt decisiveness, that caught me off balance.
- It throws the viewer off balance but speaks to the part of each person that is capable, potent and dignified.
- She has a problem with some little gland or other, which can throw her right off balance.
- The movement threw him off balance.
- Waking up to that penetrating ice-blue gaze was enough to throw anyone off balance for the rest of the day.
- Clark had to sit down to catch his breath.
- And then history paused, just to catch its breath.
- Both waders immediately filled and I caught my breath as freezing April waters began to stimulate sensitive nether regions.
- Busacher slumped into the passenger seat and sat catching his breath.
- I said, falling on to a chair, trying to catch my breath.
- She caught her breath in fear, holding it until the answer came.
- She could hear Moxie catching her breath.
- The slow movement of this performance is particularly fine, with pianissimos that have you catching your breath.
- Tokyo stocks fell Monday as investors caught their breath following a strong advance over the two previous sessions.
- Now the local authorities are caught in a cleft stick, hostages to their own political process.
- So the developing countries are caught in a cleft stick.
- Don't go out without a coat! You'll catch your death of cold!
- A porcelain corgi in the window took her fancy.
- And you use everyone, for whatever little scheme takes your fancy.
- Have you been trawling the sales and picking up every urn and tub that caught your fancy?
- I'd wander down the high street, frittering away on whatever took my fancy.
- I am just glad I wasn't Anne Boleyn, or some other lady who took his fancy.
- Selection is not a matter of having everything that takes your fancy.
- Turn to page 14 to see which takes your fancy.
- When Oates took his fancy passing to Boston, Cam Neely thrived.
- The recent recession caught managers flat-footed and unprepared.
- Could the upper management of a leading firm like Merrill Lynch be caught so entirely off guard?
- I said it suddenly like that, just blurted it out, and I guess it caught him off guard.
- Penelope flinched, angry at her thoughts, and at the girl who had caught her off guard.
- She really caught me off guard with her comments.
- The president faces issues that can catch him off guard and undermine his authority.
- The question caught Firebug off guard.
- The words caught him off guard.
- This caught me completely off guard.
- That boy's going to catch hell when he gets home.
- Emilio, no worse than any of the others, nevertheless caught hell most often.
- Many politicians have been caught on the hop by a good interviewer.
- The dramatic fall in share prices caught even the experts on the hop.
- Sorry about the mess but you caught me on the hop like.
- They catch you on the hop.
- Yes, I think I caught her on the hop.
- You caught us on the hop there, ol' buddy.
- The story of a boy raised by monkeys has caught the imagination of millions.
- Nowadays, no company can afford to be caught napping by a technological development.
- Stock traders who ignore these signs are in danger of being caught napping when a recession hits.
- I was reminding the golfing spirits that I could not be caught napping.
- Quakers were caught napping again two minutes later.
- She had the fleeting impression that she'd caught him on the raw.
- Clothes, sleeping bags, spare canvas, all were hung up or spread out to catch a few rays of sunshine.
- The FBI caught the mayor red-handed using drugs.
- A flock of dunlin flew across the marsh in a silver swirl, catching the sun, dazzling the eye.
- Before his eyes dull muddy grass turned into soft reflective banks which caught the sun a thousand ways.
- Dalgliesh could glimpse what was obviously her herb garden planted in elegant terracotta pots carefully disposed to catch the sun.
- My chair with its high back and strong iron wheels is positioned correctly to catch the sun.
- Perhaps she had caught the sun.
- These beautiful evergreen trees catch the sun and produce wonderful sculptural forms.
- Up in the woods many of the buds that catch the sun have begun to pop.
- He caught me by surprise and I sounded foolish.
- He rolled towards Lily, taking her by surprise.
- His deep voice took Romanov by surprise.
- In consequence, untold numbers of sailors died when their destinations suddenly loomed out of the sea and took them by surprise.
- Inspector Montgomery's sudden termination of the interview had taken her by surprise initially, but now she understood his strategy.
- The hug takes him by surprise.
- The thought that had been waiting to be revealed, waiting to take him by surprise.
- Welch and I had a rather heated exchange about the appropriateness of his editorial interference, which had caught me by surprise.
- I was caught unawares by his kiss.
Hey! Nice catch!2[countable usually singular] informal a hidden problem or difficulty: This deal looks too good to be true – there must be a catch somewhere.the catch is (that) The catch is that you can’t enter the competition unless you’ve spent $100 in the store.3[countable] a hook or something similar for fastening a door or lid and keeping it shut4[countable] a quantity of fish that has been caught at one time5[uncountable] a simple game in which two or more people throw a ball to each other: Let’s go outside and play catch.6a catch in your voice/throat a short pause that you make when you are speaking, because you feel upset or are beginning to cry: There was a catch in Anne’s voice and she seemed close to tears.7a (good) catch someone who is a good person to have a relationship with or to marry because they are rich, attractive etc – often used humorously