catch

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive

   To take hold of something that is moving through the air, usually with the hands, before it lands.

   Grammar: Takes an object: catch the ball, catch a falling glass.

   Patterns

   • catch something
   • catch something in something

   She leaned out and caught the keys that he threw from the window.

   The child caught the ball with both hands.

   He dived to catch the falling vase.

2. 2verbtransitive

   To find and seize a person or animal that is trying to escape or hide, or to take a fish or animal by trapping or hooking it.

   Grammar: Takes an object: catch the thief, catch a fish.

   Patterns

   • catch someone doing something
   • catch someone/something

   Police caught the burglar a few streets from the house.

   We caught three trout in the lake this morning.

   The cat finally caught the mouse.

3. 3verbtransitive

   To get on a bus, train, plane or other vehicle in time, or to reach someone before they leave.

   Grammar: Takes an object: catch the 8:15 train; the opposite is miss.

   Patterns

   • catch a bus/train/flight
   • catch someone at something

   I have to leave now to catch the last train.

   She ran to catch the bus before it pulled away.

   Call me before ten and you will catch me at my desk.

4. 4verbtransitive

   To become ill with a disease, or to get a feeling or habit from someone or something.

   Grammar: Takes an object: catch a cold, catch fire.

   Patterns

   • catch a cold/virus
   • catch fire

   He caught a cold after standing in the rain.

   The dry grass caught fire in an instant.

   Be careful not to catch the flu on the plane.

5. 5nounsingularinformal

   A hidden drawback or condition in something that looks very attractive.

   Grammar: Usually used with a: what is the catch?

   Patterns

   • what's the catch?
   • there's a catch

   The prize looks great, but there is a catch: you must pay shipping.

   What's the catch with such a cheap phone?

   The only catch is that the offer ends tomorrow.

6. 6nouncountable

   The total number of fish or animals taken in one session of fishing or hunting, or the act of grabbing a ball.

   Grammar: Countable for the act (a good catch); often uncountable for a quantity of fish (the day's catch).

   Patterns

   • a good catch
   • the day's catch

   The fishermen sold their catch at the harbor market.

   She made a fine catch in the outfield.

   The morning's catch was small because of rough water.

Word forms

Common combinations

catch a cold

If you go out without a coat, you might catch a cold.

catch a train

We had to run to catch the last train.

catch someone's eye

A red scarf in the window caught her eye.

catch fire

The old barn caught fire during the storm.

catch what someone said

Sorry, I didn't catch what you said over the noise.

catch someone off guard

The question caught him off guard.

Synonyms and how they differ

grab

Grab suggests a quick, rough seizure, while catch can describe a smooth and skillful grip.

capture

Capture is more formal and stresses taking control of a person or animal, often after a chase.

snag

Snag is informal and suggests getting something quickly or by luck, sometimes something others also want.

contract

Contract is formal and used mainly for illnesses, where catch is the ordinary everyday verb.

Opposites

Word family

catcher noun

a person who catches, especially in baseball

catching adjective

easily passed from one person to another, like a disease or a mood

catchy adjective

pleasant and easy to remember, like a tune

catchment noun

an area from which water or people are drawn

Commonly confused: catch or take?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “catch”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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