v.
(past and past part. caught)
- intercept and hold (something which has been thrown, propelled, or dropped).
▸seize or take hold of.
▸Cricket dismiss (a batsman) by catching the ball before it touches the ground.
- capture (a person or animal that tries or would try to escape).
▸
(also catch up or catch someone up)
succeed in reaching (a person who is ahead of one).
▸surprise (someone) in an awkward or incriminating situation.
- accidentally become entangled or trapped in something.
▸have (a part of one's body or clothing) become entangled or trapped in something.
- reach in time and board (a train, bus, or aircraft).
▸reach or be in a place in time to see (a person, performance, etc.).
-
(be caught up in)
become involved in (something, especially an unwelcome situation).
- engage (a person's interest or imagination).
▸perceive fleetingly.
▸hear or understand (something said), especially with effort.
▸succeed in evoking or representing.
- strike (someone) on a part of the body.
▸accidentally strike (a part of one's body) against something.
- contract (an illness) through infection or contagion.
- become ignited and start burning.
n.
- an act or instance of catching.
▸an amount of fish caught.
▸informal a person considered desirable as a partner or spouse.
- a game in which a ball is thrown back and forth between two or more players.
- a device for securing something such as a door, window, or box.
- a hidden problem or disadvantage.
- an unevenness in a person's voice caused by emotion.
- Music a round, typically one with words arranged to produce a humorous effect.
Phrase
- catch someone's eye
- be noticed by someone.
- attract someone's attention by making eye contact.
- catch the light
shine or glint in the light. - catch sight of
suddenly notice; glimpse. - catch the sun
- be in a sunny position.
- Brit. become tanned or sunburned.
- play catch-up
N. Amer. try to equal a competitor in a sport or game.
Phrase verbal
- catch on
informal - (of a practice or fashion) become popular.
- understand what is meant or how to do something.
- catch someone out
Brit. - detect that someone has done something wrong.
- put someone in a difficult situation for which they are unprepared.
- catch up
do work or other tasks which one should have done earlier. - catch up with
- exchange news with (someone whom one has not seen for some time).
- begin to have a damaging effect on.
Derivative
Etymology
ME: from Anglo-Norman Fr. and Old North. Fr. cachier, var. of OFr. chacier, based on L. captare ‘try to catch’.