Subscriber login


Forgot your password?

Library card login

Other

catch

Syllabification: (catch)
Pronunciation: /kaCH, keCH/
Translate catch | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of catch

verb (pastand past participle caught /kôt/)

[with object]
  • 1intercept and hold (something that has been thrown, propelled, or dropped):she threw the bottle into the air and caught it again
  • intercept the fall of (someone).
  • seize or take hold of:he caught hold of her arm as she tried to push past him
  • [no object] (catch at) grasp or try to grasp:his hands caught at her arms as she tried to turn away
  • 2capture (a person or animal that tries or would try to escape):we hadn’t caught a single rabbit
  • [no object] (of an object) accidentally become entangled or trapped in something:the charm bracelet always caught on her clothing
  • (of a person) have (a part of one’s body or clothing) become entangled or trapped in something:she caught her foot in the bedspread figurativecompanies face increased risks of being caught in a downward spiral
  • fix or fasten in place:her hair was caught back in a scrunchie
  • 3reach in time and board (a train, bus, or aircraft):they caught the 12:15 from Chicago
  • reach or be in a place in time to see (a person, performance, program, etc.):she was hurrying downstairs to catch the news
  • come upon (someone) unexpectedly:unexpected snow caught us by surprise
  • (be caught in) (of a person) unexpectedly find oneself in (an unwelcome situation):my sister was caught in a thunderstorm
  • (catch it) informal be punished or told off.
  • surprise (someone) in an incriminating situation or in the act of doing something wrong:he was caught with bomb-making equipment in his home
  • 4engage (a person’s interest or imagination).
  • perceive fleetingly:she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror
  • hear or understand (something said), especially with effort:he bellowed something Jess couldn’t catch
  • succeed in evoking or representing:the program caught something of the flavor of Minoan culture
  • 5 [with object] strike (someone) on a part of the body:Ben caught him on the chin with an uppercut
  • accidentally strike (a part of one’s body) against something:she fell and caught her head on the corner of the hearth
  • 6contract (an illness) through infection or contagion.
  • 7 [no object] become ignited, due to contact with flame, and start burning:the rafters have caught
  • (of an engine) fire and start running.

noun

  • 1an act of catching something, typically a ball.
  • an amount of fish caught:a record catch of 6.9 billion pounds of fish
  • [in singular] informal a person considered attractive, successful, or prestigious and so desirable as a partner or spouse:I mistakenly thought he would be a good catch
  • 2a device for securing something such as a door, window, or box:the window catch was rusty
  • 3a hidden problem or disadvantage in an apparently ideal situation:there’s a catch in it somewhere
  • 4 [in singular] an unevenness in a person’s voice caused by emotion:there was a catch in Anne’s voice
  • 5 Music a round, typically one with words arranged to produce a humorous effect.

Phrases

catch someone napping

see nap1.

be caught short

see short.

catch at straws

see straw.

catch one's breath

see breath.

catch one's death (of cold)

see death.

catch someone's eye

  • 1be noticed by someone:a vase on a side table caught his eye
  • 2attract someone’s attention by making eye contact:I caught Rhoda’s eye and gave her a friendly wave

catch fire

become ignited and burn.

catch someone in the act

see act.

catch the light

shine or glint in the light.

catch sight of

suddenly notice; glimpse.

you wouldn't catch —— doing something

informal used to indicate that there is no possibility of the person mentioned doing what is specified:you wouldn’t catch me walking back to the house alone at night

Phrasal Verbs

catch on

informal
  • 1(of a practice or fashion) become popular:his music never caught on in the South
  • 2understand what is meant or how to do something:I caught on to what it was the guy was saying

catch up

succeed in reaching a person who is ahead of one.
do work or other tasks that one should have done earlier:he normally used the afternoons to catch up on paperwork

catch up with

  • 1succeed in reaching a person who is ahead of one:you go with Stasia and Katie, and I’ll catch up with you
  • 2talk to (someone) whom one has not seen for some time in order to find out what he or she has been doing in the interim:a chance to catch up with old friends
  • 3begin to have a damaging effect on:the physical exertions began to catch up with Sue

be/get caught up in

become involved in (something that one had not intended to become involved in):he had no desire to be caught up in political activities

Derivatives

catchable

adjective

Origin:

Middle English (also in the sense 'chase'): from Anglo-Norman French and Old Northern French cachier, variant of Old French chacier, based on Latin captare 'try to catch', from capere 'take'

catch in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of catch in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

  |  Cite
Oxford Dictionaries Pro

For Oxford's best resources for writers, plus thesaurus, audio, and 1.9m examples.

GET PRO ►

Shop for an Oxford dictionary
Find the perfect Oxford dictionary for you in our online shop.
SHOP NOW ►

Word of the day

cur

/ kər /
noun
an aggressive dog or one that is in poor condition …