catch

Noun

• the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal)
  • the policeman on the beat got credit for the collar
    

• 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
    

• a cooperative game in which a ball is passed back and forth
  • he played catch with his son in the backyard
    

• a fastener that fastens or locks a door or window

• a restraint that checks the motion of something
  • he used a book as a stop to hold the door open
    

• a break or check in the voice (usually a sign of strong emotion)

• anything that is caught (especially if it is worth catching)
  • he shared his catch with the others
    

• a person regarded as a good matrimonial prospect

• the quantity that was caught
  • the catch was only 10 fish
    

• a drawback or difficulty that is not readily evident
  • it sounds good but what's the catch?
    

Verb

• delay or hold up; prevent from proceeding on schedule or as planned
  • I was caught in traffic and missed the meeting
    

• become aware of
  • he caught her staring out the window
    

• be the catcher
  • Who is catching?
    

• spread or be communicated
  • The fashion did not catch
    

• take in and retain
  • We have a big barrel to catch the rainwater
    

• apprehend and reproduce accurately
  • She really caught the spirit of the place in her drawings
    
  • She got the mood just right in her photographs
    

• attract; cause to be enamored
  • She captured all the men's hearts
    

• suffer from the receipt of
  • She will catch hell for this behavior!
    

• perceive by hearing
  • I didn't catch your name
    
  • She didn't get his name when they met the first time
    

• start burning
  • The fire caught
    

• contract
  • did you catch a cold?
    

• 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
    

• detect a blunder or misstep
  • The reporter tripped up the senator
    

• cause to become accidentally or suddenly caught, ensnared, or entangled
  • I caught the hem of my dress in the brambles
    

• 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
    

• hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
  • We overheard the conversation at the next table
    

• check oneself during an action
  • She managed to catch herself before telling her boss what was on her mind
    

• be struck or affected by
  • catch fire
    
  • catch the mood
    

• catch up with and possibly overtake
  • The Rolls Royce caught us near the exit ramp
    

• get or regain something necessary, usually quickly or briefly
  • Catch some sleep
    
  • catch one's breath
    

• reach in time
  • I have to catch a train at 7 o'clock
    

• capture as if by hunting, snaring, or trapping
  • I caught a rabbit in the trap today
    

• attract and fix
  • His look caught her
    
  • She caught his eye
    
  • Catch the attention of the waiter
    

• to hook or entangle
  • One foot caught in the stirrup
    

• succeed in catching or seizing, especially after a chase
  • We finally got the suspect
    
  • Did you catch the thief?
    

• take hold of so as to seize or restrain or stop the motion of
  • Catch the ball!
    
  • Grab the elevator door!
    

• 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
    

• 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
    

• 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
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  apprehension , arrest , collar , pinch , taking into custody , grab , snatch , snap , stop , match , haul , gimmick , get , trip up , watch , view , see , take in , overhear , overtake , catch up with , capture , hitch , take hold of , pick up