catch

[kætʃ]

catch Definition

• 1. intercept and hold (something that has been thrown, propelled, or dropped)
• 2. capture (a person or animal that tries or would try to escape)
• 3. become held or lodged in a part of the body

Using catch: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "catch" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  She caught the ball with one hand.

• Example

  The police caught the thief after a long chase.

• Example

  I caught my foot in the door and fell over.

catch Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for catch

• grab
• seize
• snatch
• capture
• apprehend

Antonyms for catch

• release
• free

Idioms Using catch

• catch someone's eye

  attract someone's attention

  Example

  The bright colors of the painting caught my eye as I walked by.

• catch someone off guard

  surprise someone by doing something unexpected

  Example

  The interviewer's question caught me off guard and I didn't know how to respond.

• catch someone red-handed

  discover someone in the act of doing something wrong

  Example

  The teacher caught the student red-handed cheating on the test.

Phrases with catch

• catch up

  reach the same level as someone or something ahead; become current

  Example

  I need to catch up on my work before the weekend.

• catch on

  understand or become popular

  Example

  The new trend is really catching on among young people.

• catch sight of

  see briefly or unexpectedly

  Example

  I caught sight of an old friend in the crowd.

Origins of catch

from Old English 'caeccan', meaning 'to seize, grasp'

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Summary: catch in Brief

The verb 'catch' [kætʃ] means to intercept and hold something that has been thrown or dropped, capture a person or animal, or become lodged in a part of the body. It can also be used in phrases like 'catch up,' meaning to reach the same level as someone or something ahead, and idioms like 'catch someone's eye,' meaning to attract someone's attention.