catch cold
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To become ill with a common cold: To contract the mild viral infection characterized by symptoms like a runny nose, sore throat, and sneezing.
Usage
- The phrase "catch cold" is used to describe the moment or process of becoming infected with the common cold virus. It is typically used in simple present, past, or future tenses.
- It is an intransitive verb phrase; it does not take a direct object. You catch cold; you do not "catch cold" from someone (though "catch cold" is a very common variant).
Examples
- Verb phrase:
- If you go out in the rain without a coat, you will catch cold.
- She caught cold after her trip.
- I hope I don't catch cold from my colleague.
Advanced Usage
- "to catch one's death of cold": An idiomatic expression meaning to catch a very severe cold.
- Come inside! You'll catch your death of cold standing out there in the snow.
Variants and Related Words
- Catch a cold: This is an extremely common variant where "cold" is treated as a countable noun. The meaning is identical to "catch cold".
- He caught a cold last week.
- Common cold (n): The name of the illness itself.
- Cold (n): The shortened form of the illness.
Synonyms
- Come down with a cold: To begin to suffer from a cold.
- I think I'm coming down with a cold.
- Get a cold: A more informal synonym.
- I always get a cold in the winter.
Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases
- Catch (v): To contract an illness. Used with other diseases (e.g., catch the flu, catch pneumonia).
Related Idioms
- To be/feel under the weather: To feel slightly ill (not exclusively for a cold, but often used for one).
- I'm staying home today because I'm feeling under the weather.
Verb
-
come down with a cold