catch

/kætʃ/

Reviewed on

Also a noun

Meaning

  1. To intercept and hold something moving through the air or falling.

    • He reached out with one hand to catch the keys before they hit the floor.

    • Can you catch that ball if I throw it high?

  2. To capture or seize an animal or person attempting to escape.

    • The farmer finally caught the fox that had been raiding the henhouse.

    • Our cat rarely catches mice anymore.

  3. To reach and board a public transportation vehicle before it departs.

    • We ran through the terminal and barely caught our flight to Chicago.

    • Do you think you can catch the six o'clock train?

  4. To become infected with an illness.

    • Half the office caught the flu during the first week of January.

    • Wear a warm coat so you do not catch a cold.

  5. To discover or surprise someone in the middle of doing something, especially something dishonest or improper.

    • The supervisor caught an employee sleeping in the breakroom during work hours.

    • Were they caught cheating on the final exam?

  6. To hear, see, or understand something clearly.

    • I did not catch the speaker's name because the microphone cut out.

    • Did you catch what she said at the end of the presentation?

How it's used

When this means “intercept and grasp an object”

  • catch the ball

“caught it.”

He caught the ball near the sideline.

When this means “discover someone in an action”

  • catch the clerk taking money

“caught him doing it.”

The manager caught the clerk taking money from the register.

Collocations

  • catch a cold
  • catch the flu
  • catch a train
  • catch a flight
  • catch red-handed

Synonyms

  • grab
  • seize
  • capture
  • apprehend
  • contract

Antonyms

Idioms

  • catch one's breath

    to pause after physical exertion until breathing normally again

    We rested at the top of the stairs to catch our breath.

  • catch someone's eye

    to attract someone's attention or visual interest

    A vintage leather jacket caught her eye across the store.

  • catch fire

    to begin burning or to rapidly become popular

    Dry leaves caught fire near the edge of the campsite.

  • catch wind of

    to hear a rumor or preliminary information about something

    Reporters caught wind of the merger days before the announcement.

  • catch someone off guard

    to surprise someone who is not ready

    The sudden question caught him off guard.