Trends ofcatch
View usage for:
catch
(kætʃ)
Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense catches, present participle catching, past tense, past participle caught
1. verb
If you catch a person or animal, you capture them after chasing them, or by using a trap, net, or other device.
Police say they are confident of catching the gunman. [VERB noun]
Where did you catch the fish? [VERB noun]
I wondered if it was an animal caught in a trap. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: capture, arrest, trap, seize More Synonyms of catch
2. verb
If you catch an object that is moving through the air, you seize it with your hands.
I jumped up to catch a ball and fell over. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: seize, get, grab, snatch More Synonyms of catch
Catch is also a noun.
He missed the catch and the match was lost.
3. verb
If you catch a part of someone's body, you take or seize it with your hand, often in order tostop them going somewhere.
Liz caught his arm. [VERB noun]
He knelt beside her and caught her hand in both of his. [VERB noun preposition]
Garrido caught her by the wrist. [VERB noun preposition]
Synonyms: grab, take, grip, seize More Synonyms of catch
4. verb
If one thing catches another, it hits it accidentally or manages to hit it.
The stinging slap almost caught his face. [VERB noun]
I may have caught him with my elbow but it was just an accident. [VERB noun + with]
He caught her on the side of her head with his other fist. [VERB noun + on]
Synonyms: hit, strike, bang, clip [informal] More Synonyms of catch
5. verb
If something catches on or in an object or if an object catches something, it accidentally becomes attached to the object or stuck in it.
Her ankle caught on a root, and she almost lost her balance. [VERB preposition]
A man caught his foot in the lawnmower. [VERB noun preposition]
Synonyms: become trapped, snag, become entangled More Synonyms of catch
6. verb
When you catch a bus, train, or plane, you get on it in order to travel somewhere.
We were in plenty of time for Anthony to catch the ferry. [VERB noun]
He caught a taxi to Harrods. [VERB noun preposition]
Synonyms: board, make, get on More Synonyms of catch
7. verb
If you catch someone doing something wrong, you see or find them doing it.
He caught a youth breaking into a car. [VERB noun verb-ing]
I don't want to catch you pushing yourself into the picture to get some personalpublicity. [V n -ing]
They caught him on camera doing it more than once. [VERB noun preposition]
Synonyms: discover, surprise, find out, expose More Synonyms of catch
8. verb
If you catch yourself doing something, especially something surprising, you suddenly become aware that you are doing it.
I caught myself feeling almost sorry for poor Mr Laurence. [V pron-refl v-ing]
9. verb
If you catch something or catch a glimpse of it, you notice it or manage to see it briefly.
As she turned back, she caught the puzzled look on her mother's face. [VERB noun]
He caught a glimpse of the man's face in a shop window. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: notice, see, note, spot More Synonyms of catch
10. verb
If you catch something that someone has said, you manage to hear it.
His ears caught a faint cry. [VERB noun]
I do not believe I caught your name. [VERB noun]
The men out in the corridor were trying to catch what they said. [VERB wh]
11. verb
If you catch a TV or radio programme or an event, you manage to see or listen to it.
Bill turns on the radio to catch the local news. [VERB noun]
The exhibition is on at Droitwich until May 24. You can also catch it at Leominsterfrom June 5. [VERB noun]
12. verb
If you catch someone, you manage to contact or meet them to talk to them, especially when they are just about to go somewhere else.
I dialled Elizabeth's number thinking I might catch her before she left for work. [VERB noun]
Hello, Dolph. Glad I caught you. [VERB noun]
13. verb
If something or someone catches you by surprise or at a bad time, you were not expecting them or do not feel able to deal with them.
She looked as if the photographer had caught her by surprise. [VERB noun preposition]
I'm sorry but I just cannot say anything. You've caught me at a bad time. [VERB noun preposition]
The sheer number of spectators has caught everyone unprepared. [VERB noun adjective]
14. verb
If something catches your attention or your eye, you notice it or become interested in it.
My shoes caught his attention. [VERB noun]
A quick movement across the aisle caught his eye. [VERB noun]
15. verb
If someone or something catches a mood or an atmosphere, they successfully represent it or reflect it.
16. passive verb
If you are caught in a storm or other unpleasant situation, it happens when you cannot avoid its effects.
When he was fishing off the island he was caught in a storm and almost drowned. [be/getV-ed + in]
Visitors to the area were caught between police and the rioters. [be V-ed + between]
17. passive verb
If you are caught between two alternatives or two people, you do not know which one to choose or follow.
The Jordanian leader is caught between both sides in the dispute. [be V-ed + between]
She was caught between envy and admiration. [be V-ed + between]
18. verb
If you catch a cold or a disease, you become ill with it.
The more stress you are under, the more likely you are to catch a cold. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: contract, get, develop, suffer from More Synonyms of catch
19. verb
To catch liquids or small pieces that fall from somewhere means to collect them in a container.
The fish is laid out on a large serving plate to catch the juices. [VERB noun]
...a specially designed breadboard with a tray to catch the crumbs. [VERB noun]
20. verb
If something catches the light or if the light catches it, it reflects the light and looks bright or shiny.
They saw the ship's guns, catching the light of the moon. [VERB noun]
Often a fox goes across the road in front of me and I just catch it in the headlights. [VERB noun + in]
21. verb
If the wind or water catches something, it carries or pushes it along.
A gust of wind caught the parachute. [VERB noun]
22. countable noun
A catch on a window, door, or container is a device that fastens it.
She fiddled with the catch of her bag. [+ of]
Fit windows with safety locks or catches.
Synonyms: fastener, hook, clip, bolt More Synonyms of catch
23. countable noun [usually singular]
A catch is a hidden problem or difficulty in a plan or an offer that seems surprisingly good.
The catch is that you work for your supper, and the food and accommodation can bevery basic.
'It's your money. You deserve it.'—'What's the catch?'
24. countable noun
When people have been fishing, their catch is the total number of fish that they have caught.
The catch included one fish over 18 pounds.
Synonyms: haul, net, bag More Synonyms of catch
25. singular noun
If you describe someone as a good catch, you mean that they have lots of good qualities and you think their partner or employer is very lucky to have found them.
[informal] I was so in love with him and all my friends said what a good catch he was.
Synonyms: marriage prospect, match More Synonyms of catch
26. uncountable noun
Catch is a game in which children throw a ball to each other.
27. uncountable noun
Catch is a game in which one child chases other children and tries to touch or catch oneof them.
28. See also catching
29.
See you wouldn't/won't catch me
30.
See to catch sb with their trousers/pants down
31. to catch your breath
32. to catch fire
33. to catch hold of something
34. to be caught between a rock and a hard place
35. to be caught short
36. to catch sight of something
Phrasal verbs:
See catch on
See catch out
See catch up
See catch up with
More Synonyms of catch
catch in British English
(kætʃ)
verbWord forms: catches, catching or caught
1. (transitive)
to take hold of so as to retain or restrain
he caught the ball
2. (transitive)
to take, seize, or capture, esp after pursuit
3. (transitive)
to ensnare or deceive, as by trickery
4. (transitive)
to surprise or detect in an act
he caught the dog rifling the larder
5. (transitive)
to reach with a blow
the stone caught him on the side of the head
6. (transitive)
to overtake or reach in time to board
if we hurry we should catch the next bus
7. (transitive)
to see or hear; attend
I didn't catch the Ibsen play
8. (transitive)
to be infected with
to catch a cold
9.
to hook or entangle or become hooked or entangled
her dress caught on a nail
10.
to fasten or be fastened with or as if with a latch or other device
11. (transitive)
to attract or arrest
she tried to catch his eye
12. (transitive)
to comprehend
I didn't catch his meaning
13. (transitive)
to hear accurately
I didn't catch what you said
14. (transitive)
to captivate or charm
15. (transitive)
to perceive and reproduce accurately
the painter managed to catch his model's beauty
16. (transitive)
to hold back or restrain
he caught his breath in surprise
17. (intransitive)
to become alight
the fire won't catch
18. (transitive) cricket
to dismiss (a batsman) by intercepting and holding a ball struck by him or her before it touches the ground
19. (intransitive; often foll by at)
a.
to grasp or attempt to grasp
b.
to take advantage (of), esp eagerly
he caught at the chance
20. (used passively) informal
to make pregnant
21. catch it
22. catch oneself on
noun
23.
the act of catching or grasping
24.
a device that catches and fastens, such as a latch
25.
anything that is caught, esp something worth catching
26.
the amount or number caught
27. informal
a person regarded as an eligible matrimonial prospect
28.
a check or break in the voice
29.
a break in a mechanism
30. informal
a.
a concealed, unexpected, or unforeseen drawback or handicap
b.
(as modifier)
a catch question
31.
a game in which a ball is thrown from one player to another
32. cricket
the catching of a ball struck by a batsman before it touches the ground, resultingin him or her being out
33. music
a type of round popular in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, having a humorous text that is often indecent or bawdy and hard to articulate
round (sense 31), canon1 (sense 7) Derived forms
catchable (ˈcatchable) adjective
Word origin
C13 cacchen to pursue, from Old Northern French cachier, from Latin captāre to snatch, from capere to seizecatch in American English
(kætʃ; kɛtʃ)
verb transitiveWord forms: caught or ˈcatching
1.
to seize and hold, as after a chase; capture
2.
to seize or take by or as by a trap, snare, etc.
3.
to deceive; ensnare
4.
to discover by taking unawares; surprise in some act
to be caught stealing
5.
to strike suddenly; hit
the blow caught him in the arm
6.
to overtake or get to in time; be in time for
to catch a train
7.
to intercept the motion or action of; lay hold of; grab or snatch
to catch a ball
8.
a.
to take or get as by chance or quickly
to catch someone's attention, to catch a glimpse
b. Informal
to manage to see, hear, find, etc.
to catch a radio program
9.
to take or get passively; incur or contract without intention, as by exposure
to catch the mumps
10.
a.
to take in with one's mind or senses; understand; apprehend
b.
to show an understanding of by depicting
the statue catches her beauty
11.
to captivate; charm
12.
to cause to be entangled or snagged
to catch one's heel in a rug
13. Baseball
to act as catcher for (a specified pitcher, a specified game, etc.)
verb intransitive
14.
to become held, fastened, or entangled
her sleeve caught on a nail
15.
to take hold or spread, as fire
16.
to take fire; burn
17.
to take and keep hold, as a lock
18.
to act or serve as a catcher
noun
19.
the act of catching
20.
a thing that catches or holds
21.
the person or thing caught
22.
the amount caught
23.
a person worth catching, esp. as a husband or wife
24.
a snatch, scrap, or fragment
catches of old tunes
25.
a break in the voice, caused by emotion
26. US
an exercise or a simple game consisting of throwing and catching a ball
27. US, Informal
a hidden qualification; tricky condition
a catch in his offer
28. Music
a round for three or more unaccompanied voices
29. Sport
a catching of a ball in a specified manner
30. Baseball
the catching of a ball in flight and holding it firmly
adjective
31.
designed to trick; tricky
a catch question on an exam
32.
attracting or meant to attract attention or interest
Idioms:
SYNONYMY NOTE: catch, the most general term here, refers to a seizing or taking of a person or thing,whether by skill or cunning, and usually implies pursuit; , capture stresses seizure by force or stratagem [to capture an outlaw]; nab, an informal word, specifically implies a sudden or quick taking into custody [the police nabbed the thief]; trap1, snare both imply the literal or figurative use of a device for catching a person or animaland suggest a situation from which escape is difficult or impossible [to trap a bear, snared by their false promises] catch as catch can
catch at
catch it
catch on
catch oneself
catch out
catch up
catch up on
Word origin
ME cacchen < Anglo-Fr cachier < VL *captiare < L captare, to seize < pp. of capere, to take hold: see haveMore idioms containingcatch
catch someone off guard
catch fire
catch someone's eye
catch someone cold
catch someone red-handed
catch the wave
More idioms containingcatch
a Catch 22
Image ofcatch
© Andrey_Popov, shutterstock
Examples of 'catch' in a sentencecatch
In other languagescatch
British English: catch /kætʃ/ VERB
capture If you catch a person or animal, you capture them.
Police say they are confident of catching the man.
- American English: catch
- Arabic: يـُمْسِكُ بِ
- Brazilian Portuguese: pegar
- Chinese: 抓住
- Croatian: uhvatiti
- Czech: chytit
- Danish: gribe
- Dutch: vangen opvangen
- European Spanish: atrapar
- Finnish: saada kiinni
- French: attraper
- German: fangen
- Greek: πιάνω
- Italian: prendere
- Japanese: つかまえる
- Korean: ...을 잡다
- Norwegian: få tak i
- Polish: złapać
- European Portuguese: apanhar
- Romanian: a prinde
- Russian: ловить
- Latin American Spanish: pillar
- Swedish: fånga
- Thai: จับได้ ฉวยจับ
- Turkish: yakalamak
- Ukrainian: ловити
- Vietnamese: bắt
British English: catch /kætʃ/ VERB
ball If you catch something that is moving, you take hold of it while it is in the air.
I tried to catch the ball.
- American English: catch
- Arabic: يُـمْسِكُ بِ
- Brazilian Portuguese: pegar
- Chinese: 抓住
- Croatian: uhvatiti
- Czech: chytit
- Danish: gribe
- Dutch: vangen
- European Spanish: agarrar
- Finnish: siepata
- French: attraper
- German: fangen
- Greek: πιάνω
- Italian: afferrare
- Japanese: ･･･を捕る
- Korean: 잡다
- Norwegian: fange
- Polish: łapać
- European Portuguese: apanhar
- Romanian: a prinde
- Russian: поймать
- Latin American Spanish: atrapar
- Swedish: fånga
- Thai: จับ
- Turkish: yakalamak
- Ukrainian: ловити
- Vietnamese: chộp lấy
British English: catch /kætʃ/ VERB
bus, train If you catch a bus or a train, you get on it.
We caught the bus to school.
- American English: catch
- Arabic: يَرْكَبُ
- Brazilian Portuguese: pegar
- Chinese: 赶车
- Croatian: uhvatiti
- Czech: nastoupitdo vozidla
- Danish: nå
- Dutch: nemen
- European Spanish: tomar
- Finnish: nousta
- French: prendrele bus, le train
- German: nehmen
- Greek: προλαβαίνω
- Italian: prendere al volo
- Japanese: ･･･に乗る
- Korean: 따라잡다
- Norwegian: ta
- Polish: łapać
- European Portuguese: apanhar
- Romanian: a prinde
- Russian: остановить
- Latin American Spanish: tomarlocomoción
- Swedish: ta
- Thai: ขึ้นรถ
- Turkish: binmek
- Ukrainian: сідати на
- Vietnamese: lên xe
British English: catch /kætʃ/ VERB
illness If you catch an illness, you become ill with it.
He caught measles.
- American English: catch
- Arabic: أُصِيبَ بِ
- Brazilian Portuguese: pegar
- Chinese: 染病
- Croatian: zaraziti se
- Czech: chytitnemoc
- Danish: få
- Dutch: krijgen
- European Spanish: contraer
- Finnish: saada
- French: attraperune maladie
- German: erkranken an
- Greek: κολλώ
- Italian: contrarre
- Japanese: ･･･に感染する
- Korean: 병에 걸리다
- Norwegian: få
- Polish: złapać
- European Portuguese: apanhar
- Romanian: a se molipsi
- Russian: подцепить
- Latin American Spanish: contagiarse
- Swedish: få
- Thai: ป่วยเป็นโรค
- Turkish: kapmak
- Ukrainian: захворіти на
- Vietnamese: bị bệnh
All related terms of 'catch'
Chinese translation of 'catch'
catch
(kætʃ)
Word forms:ptpp caught
vt
- [animal, fish]
捕获(獲)
(bǔhuò) - [thief, criminal]
抓获(獲)
(zhuāhuò)
- [animal, fish]
- [ball]
接
(jiē) - [bus, train, plane]
赶(趕)上
(gǎnshàng) - (= discover) [person]
发(發)现(現)
(fāxiàn) - (causing damage, = strike)
打
(dǎ) - (= snag)
钩(鉤)住
(gōuzhù)
- (causing damage, = strike)
- (= hear)
听(聽)清楚
(tīng qīngchu) - [flu, illness]
染上
(rǎnshàng)⇒ I caught a cold.
我感冒了。
(Wǒ gǎnmào le.)
vi
- (on branches, door etc)
被钩(鉤)住
(bèi gōuzhù)
n (c)
- [of ball etc]
接住
(jiēzhù) - [of fish]
捕获(獲)量
(bǔhuò liàng) - (= downside)
蹊跷(蹺)
(qīqiāo) - (on door, window, bag)
闩(閂)
(shuān) - (= game)to play catch
玩掷(擲)球游(遊)戏(戲)
(wán zhìqiú yóuxì)to catch sb doing sth撞见(見)某人做某事
(zhuàngjiàn mǒurén zuò mǒushì)to catch sb's attention or eye引起某人的注意
(yǐnqǐ mǒurén de zhùyì)to catch the light反光
(fǎnguāng)to be or get caught in sth [storm]遇到某事
(yùdào mǒushì) [traffic jam]不巧碰到某事
(bùqiǎo pèngdào mǒushì) [crossfire]遭到某事
(zāodào mǒushì)
All related terms of 'catch'
1 (verb)
Definition
to capture (a person or a fish or animal)
Police say they are confident of catching the killer.
Synonyms
capture
The police gave chase and captured him as he was trying to escape.
arrest
Seven people were arrested for minor offences.
trap
To trap the culprit they had to play her at her own game.
seize
nail (informal)
The police have been trying to nail him for years.
nab (informal)
He stayed on the run for weeks before the authorities nabbed him.
snare
lift (slang)
apprehend
Police have not apprehended the perpetrator.
ensnare
entrap
feel your collar (slang)
Opposites
free
, release
, loose
, liberate
2 (verb)
Definition
to capture (a person or a fish or animal)
The locals were encouraged to catch and kill the birds.
Synonyms
trap
The locals were trying to trap and kill the spiders.
capture
snare
He'd snared a rabbit earlier in the day.
entangle
The door handle had entangled itself with the strap of her bag.
ensnare
The spider must wait for the prey to be ensnared in its web.
entrap
The whale's mouth contains filters which entrap plankton.
3 (verb)
Definition
to seize and hold
I jumped up to catch the ball and fell over.
Synonyms
seize
seize the means of production
get
The police have got the killer.
grab
I managed to grab her hand.
snatch
He snatched the telephone from me.
4 (verb)
Definition
to seize and hold
He knelt beside her and caught her hand in both of his.
Synonyms
grab
take
She took the bike by the handles before it swerved into the ditch.
grip
She gripped his hand tightly.
seize
an otter seizing a fish
grasp
He grasped both my hands.
clutch
I staggered and had to clutch at a chair for support.
lay hold of
Opposites
release
, drop
, give up
5 (verb)
The stone caught me on the side of the head.
Synonyms
hit
She hit him hard across his left arm.
strike
She took two steps forward and struck him across the mouth.
bang
We could bang on the desks and shout until they let us out.
clip (informal)
She clipped his ear.
slap
My yoga instructor turned up and slapped me on the shoulder.
smack
She smacked me on the side of the head.
whack
Someone whacked him on the head.
6 (verb)
Definition
to entangle or become entangled
Her ankle caught on a root and she almost lost her balance.
Synonyms
become trapped
snag
He snagged his suit.
become entangled
7 (verb)
Definition
to reach (a bus, train, or plane) in time to board it
We made it in time to catch the ferry.
Synonyms
board
I boarded the plane bound for England.
make
We made the train, jumping aboard just as it was pulling out.
We have to make New Orleans by nightfall.
get on
The bus stopped to let the passengers get on.
8 (verb)
Definition
to surprise in an act
He caught a youth breaking into his car.
Synonyms
discover
As he discovered, she had a brilliant mind.
surprise
find out
expose
After the scandal was exposed, he moved abroad.
detect
equipment used to detect radiation
catch in the act
take unawares
9 (verb)
Definition
to see or hear
She caught the puzzled look on her mother's face.
Synonyms
notice
People should not hesitate to contact the police if they notice anything suspicious.
see
I saw a man making his way towards me.
note
Suddenly I noted that the rain had stopped.
spot
He left the party seconds before smoke was spotted coming up the stairs.
observe
In 1664 Hooke observed a reddish spot on the surface of the planet.
recognize
The receptionist recognized him at once.
perceive
I perceived a number of changes.
detect
He could detect a certain sadness in her face.
discern
Under the bridge we could just discern a shadowy figure.
mark
Mark my words. He won't last.
10 (verb)
Definition
to comprehend or make out
Sorry, I didn't quite catch what you said.
Synonyms
make out
get
You don't seem to get the point.
follow
Can you follow the plot so far?
hear
She heard no further sounds.
take in
perceive
He was beginning to perceive the true nature of their relationship.
grasp
The Government has not yet grasped the seriousness of the crisis.
discern
apprehend
Only now can I begin to apprehend the power of these forces.
11 (verb)
Definition
to attract (someone's attention, imagination, or interest)
This award has caught the imagination of the public.
Synonyms
engage
He engaged us with tales of his adventures.
attract
Summer attracts visitors to the countryside.
delight
The report has delighted environmentalists.
capture
the story that has captured the imagination of the whole country
charm
My sister charms everyone she meets.
grip
The whole nation was gripped by the dramatic story.
fascinate
She fascinated us, on and off stage.
absorb
a second career which absorbed her more completely than acting ever had
enchant
This book will enchant readers.
captivate
I was captivated by her sparkling personality.
bewitch
She was not moving, as if someone had bewitched her.
engross
There's something about them which engrosses the public.
enrapture
Opposites
bore
, disgust
, alienate
, repel
, fail to interest
, disenchant
12 (verb)
Definition
to reproduce (a quality) accurately in a work of art
His words caught the mood of the vast crowd.
Synonyms
evoke
express
capture
Today's newspapers capture the mood of the nation.
conjure up
encapsulate
13 (verb)
Definition
to be infected with (an illness)
The more stress you are under, the more likely you are to catch a cold.
Synonyms
contract
Norton had contracted tuberculosis and been sent off to a sanatorium.
get
When I was five I got measles.
develop
He developed pneumonia after a bout of flu.
suffer from
incur
succumb to
go down with
Opposites
avoid
, escape
, avert
, ward off
1 (noun)
Definition
a device such as a hook, for fastening a door, window, or box
Always fit windows with safety locks or catches.
Synonyms
fastener
hook
One of his jackets hung from a hook.
clip
bolt
I heard him slide the bolt across the door.
latch
You left the latch off the gate and the dog escaped.
clasp
She undid the clasp of the hooded cloak she was wearing.
hasp
hook and eye
snib (Scottish)
sneck (dialect, mainly Scottish, NorthernEngland)
2 (noun)
Definition
a concealed or unforeseen drawback
(informal) It sounds too good to be true – what's the catch?
Synonyms
drawback
The only drawback was that the apartment was too small.
trick
trap
disadvantage
They suffer the disadvantage of having been political exiles.
hitch
The five-hour operation went without a hitch.
snag
A police crackdown hit a snag when villains stole one of their cars.
stumbling block
fly in the ointment
Opposites
benefit
, advantage
, reward
, bonus
, boon
3 (noun)
Definition
the total number of fish caught
The catch included one fish over 18 pounds.
Synonyms
haul
The haul was worth £4,000.
net
bag
4 (noun)
Definition
a person considered worth having as a husband or wife
All my friends said what a good catch he was.
Synonyms
marriage prospect
match
phrasal verb
Additional synonyms
in the sense of absorb
Definition
to engage the interest of someone
a second career which absorbed her more completely than acting ever had
Synonyms
engross,
hold,
involve,
fill,
arrest,
fix,
occupy,
engage,
fascinate,
preoccupy,
engulf,
fill up,
immerse,
rivet,
captivate,
monopolize,
enwrap
in the sense of apprehend
Definition
to arrest and take into custody
Police have not apprehended the perpetrator.
Synonyms
arrest,
catch,
lift (slang),
nick (slang, British),
capture,
seize,
run in (slang),
take,
nail (informal),
bust (informal),
collar (informal),
pinch (informal),
nab (informal),
take prisoner,
feel your collar (slang)
in the sense of apprehend
Definition
to grasp (something) mentally
Only now can I begin to apprehend the power of these forces.
Synonyms
understand,
know,
think,
believe,
imagine,
realize,
recognize,
appreciate,
perceive,
grasp,
conceive,
comprehend,
get the message,
get the picture
Synonyms of 'catch'
catch
Explore 'catch' in the dictionary