Definition

1. Noun:

   • The act of seizing or capturing something, especially something in motion: "Catch" refers to the action of grabbing or stopping something, often with the hands.
   • A device for fastening or securing something: A "catch" can be a latch, hook, or other mechanism that holds a door, window, or object closed.
   • A hidden or unexpected drawback: Informally, a "catch" is a concealed problem or condition that makes a seemingly good situation less favorable.
   • The total amount of fish captured: In fishing, the "catch" is the quantity of fish taken in one attempt or trip.
   • A person considered a desirable partner: An informal, often dated, use meaning someone seen as a good prospect for marriage.

2. Verb:

   • To capture or seize something, especially after pursuit: The primary meaning is to intercept and hold something moving.
   • To discover or find someone in the act of doing something: To come upon someone unexpectedly while they are engaged in an action.
   • To contract an illness: To become infected with a disease.
   • To understand or perceive something, often quickly: To grasp the meaning of something heard or seen.
   • To become entangled or hooked: To get stuck or snagged on something.
   • To attract and hold (attention, interest): To captivate someone's focus.

Examples

• Noun:

  • He made an incredible catch to win the game. (He successfully grabbed the ball in a difficult play.)
  • The window catch is broken. (The latch that secures the window is not working.)
  • The job offer sounds perfect, but there must be a catch. (The job seems ideal, but there is likely a hidden disadvantage.)
  • The fishermen were pleased with their large catch. (The fishermen were happy with the many fish they caught.)

• Verb:

  • The police hope to catch the thief tonight. (The police aim to apprehend the thief.)
  • I caught him reading my diary. (I discovered him in the act of reading my private journal.)
  • Be careful not to catch a cold. (Take care to avoid getting sick with a cold.)
  • Sorry, I didn't catch your name. (I apologize, I did not hear or understand your name.)
  • My sleeve caught on a nail. (My clothing got snagged on a protruding nail.)
  • The bright colors caught my eye. (The vivid colors attracted my attention.)

Advanced Usage

• "Catch up": To reach someone or something that is ahead; to learn about recent events.

  • I ran to catch up with my friends. (I ran to reach my friends who were ahead.)
  • We had coffee to catch up on news. (We met for coffee to share what had happened recently.)

• "Catch on": To become popular or understood.

  • The new song is starting to catch on. (The new song is beginning to become popular.)
  • He explained the joke twice before I caught on. (He repeated the explanation before I understood it.)

• "Catch one's breath": To pause to rest and breathe normally after exertion.

  • After climbing the hill, I needed a moment to catch my breath. (I needed a short rest to recover my normal breathing.)

Variants and Related Words

• Catcher (n): In baseball, the player positioned behind home plate who catches pitches.

  • The catcher signaled for a fastball.

• Catchy (adj): Easily remembered, often describing a tune or phrase.

  • The advertisement has a very catchy jingle.

• Catch-all (n): A container or category intended to hold or include a wide variety of items.

  • The drawer is a catch-all for office supplies.

Synonyms

• Apprehend: To arrest or seize (a person).
• Snag: To catch or obtain, often implying an unexpected obstacle.
• Grasp: To seize and hold firmly; to comprehend.
• Contract: To acquire or become affected by (a disease).

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Catch at: To try to seize something eagerly.

  • He caught at the opportunity to study abroad. (He eagerly seized the chance.)

• Catch out: To detect someone in a mistake or deception.

  • The teacher caught him out cheating on the test. (The teacher discovered his cheating.)

• Catch up in: To become involved in something, often unexpectedly.

  • She was caught up in the excitement of the festival. (She became fully involved in the festive mood.)

Related Idioms

• Catch-22: A no-win situation or a paradoxical rule that prevents a solution.

  • It's a catch-22: you need experience to get the job, but you need the job to get experience.

• Catch someone red-handed: To discover someone in the act of doing something wrong.

  • The security camera caught the shoplifter red-handed.

• Catch some Z's: (Informal) To get some sleep.

  • I'm going home to catch some Z's. (I'm going home to sleep.)

Noun

1. the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal)
   • the policeman on the beat got credit for the collar
2. the act of catching an object with the hands
   • Mays made the catch with his back to the plate
   • he made a grab for the ball before it landed
   • Martin's snatch at the bridle failed and the horse raced away
   • the infielder's snap and throw was a single motion
3. a cooperative game in which a ball is passed back and forth
   • he played catch with his son in the backyard
4. a fastener that fastens or locks a door or window
5. a restraint that checks the motion of something
   • he used a book as a stop to hold the door open
6. a break or check in the voice (usually a sign of strong emotion)
7. anything that is caught (especially if it is worth catching)
   • he shared his catch with the others
8. a person regarded as a good matrimonial prospect
9. the quantity that was caught
   • the catch was only 10 fish
10. a drawback or difficulty that is not readily evident
    • it sounds good but what's the catch?

Verb

1. delay or hold up; prevent from proceeding on schedule or as planned
   • I was caught in traffic and missed the meeting
2. become aware of
   • he caught her staring out the window
3. be the catcher
   • Who is catching?
4. spread or be communicated
   • The fashion did not catch
5. take in and retain
   • We have a big barrel to catch the rainwater
6. apprehend and reproduce accurately
   • She really caught the spirit of the place in her drawings
   • She got the mood just right in her photographs
7. attract; cause to be enamored
   • She captured all the men's hearts
8. suffer from the receipt of
   • She will catch hell for this behavior!
9. perceive by hearing
   • I didn't catch your name
   • She didn't get his name when they met the first time
10. start burning
    • The fire caught
11. contract
    • did you catch a cold?
12. grasp with the mind or develop an understanding of
    • did you catch that allusion?
    • We caught something of his theory in the lecture
    • don't catch your meaning
    • did you get it?
    • She didn't get the joke
    • I just don't get him
13. detect a blunder or misstep
    • The reporter tripped up the senator
14. cause to become accidentally or suddenly caught, ensnared, or entangled
    • I caught the hem of my dress in the brambles
15. see or watch
    • view a show on television
    • This program will be seen all over the world
    • view an exhibition
    • Catch a show on Broadway
    • see a movie
16. hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
    • We overheard the conversation at the next table
17. check oneself during an action
    • She managed to catch herself before telling her boss what was on her mind
18. be struck or affected by
    • catch fire
    • catch the mood
19. catch up with and possibly overtake
    • The Rolls Royce caught us near the exit ramp
20. get or regain something necessary, usually quickly or briefly
    • Catch some sleep
    • catch one's breath
21. reach in time
    • I have to catch a train at 7 o'clock
22. capture as if by hunting, snaring, or trapping
    • I caught a rabbit in the trap today
23. attract and fix
    • His look caught her
    • She caught his eye
    • Catch the attention of the waiter
24. to hook or entangle
    • One foot caught in the stirrup
25. succeed in catching or seizing, especially after a chase
    • We finally got the suspect
    • Did you catch the thief?
26. take hold of so as to seize or restrain or stop the motion of
    • Catch the ball!
    • Grab the elevator door!
27. reach with a blow or hit in a particular spot
    • the rock caught her in the back of the head
    • The blow got him in the back
    • The punch caught him in the stomach
28. perceive with the senses quickly, suddenly, or momentarily
    • I caught the aroma of coffee
    • He caught the allusion in her glance
    • ears open to catch every sound
    • The dog picked up the scent
    • Catch a glimpse
29. discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
    • She caught her son eating candy
    • She was caught shoplifting