catch
• verb (past and past part. caught) 1 intercept and hold (something thrown, propelled, or dropped). 2 seize or take hold of. 3 capture after a chase or in a trap, net, etc. 4 be in time to board (a train, bus, etc.) or to see (a person, programme, etc.). 5 entangle or become entangled: she caught her foot in the bedspread. 6 (be caught in) unexpectedly find oneself in (an unwelcome situation). 7 surprise (someone) in an awkward or incriminating situation. 8 engage (a person’s interest or imagination). 9 perceive, hear, or understand: he said something Jess couldn’t catch. strike (someone or a part of one’s body). become infected with (an illness). ignite and start burning. Cricket dismiss (a batsman) by catching the ball before it touches the ground. • noun 1 an act of catching. 2 a device for securing a door, window, etc. 3 a hidden problem or disadvantage. 4 an unevenness in a person’s voice caused by emotion. 5 informal a person considered desirable as a partner or spouse. 6 an amount of fish caught. — PHRASES catch one’s breath 1 draw one’s breath in sharply to express an emotion. 2 recover one’s breath after exertion. catch someone’s eye 1 be noticed by someone. 2 attract someone’s attention by making eye contact. catch the light shine in the light. catch on informal 1 (of a practice or fashion) become popular. 2 understand what is meant. catch out Brit. 1 discover that (someone) has done something wrong. 2 take unawares: you might get caught out by the weather. catch the sun 1 be in a sunny position. 2 Brit. become tanned or sunburnt. catch up 1 succeed in reaching a person ahead. 2 do tasks which one should have done earlier. 3 (be/get caught up in) become involved in. — DERIVATIVES catchable adjective catcher noun. — ORIGIN Old French chacier, from Latin captare ‘try to catch’.
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