The word catch is used for the action
in the picture above – to receive a ball (or another object) that someone
throws to you.
However, there are a number of other meanings and expressions
with the word catch – here are some of
them!
catch a cold
To get sick with a cold .
“Why weren’t you at the soccer game on Saturday?”
“Oh, I caught a nasty cold, so I decided to stay home and rest.”
catch your breath
To try to breathe normally after hard exercise.
“I stopped running to catch my breath.”
catch fire
When something comes into contact with fire and starts to burn.
“Keep those papers away from the candle, or else they’ll catch fire.”
catch someone red-handed
/ catch someone in the act
To discover someone doing something wrong or illegal at the moment they are
doing it.
“I caught my daughter red-handed trying to take money out of my purse.”
“George was flirting with another woman at the bar, and his wife caught him
in the act.”
catch someone’s eye
To make eye contact, or to attract attention.
“I caught her eye and smiled.”
“This painting caught my eye because of its bright, lively colors.”
good catch
If someone finds a mistake, you can say “Good catch!” to mean, “It’s good
that you found the error!”
If you describe a person as a “good catch,” it
means he/she is a good person to date or marry:
“Bob’s hard-working, sensitive, funny – he’s a good catch!”
Catch you later!
This is a very informal way to say “See you later!”
“Hey, it was nice talking to you, but I’ve gotta go pick up the kids from
school.”
“OK, catch you later!”
I didn’t catch…
This is a way to say “I didn’t hear/understand what you said.”
“My home phone is 314-555-0307 and my office phone is 314-866-1294,
extension 1352.”
“Sorry, I didn’t catch your home phone number – could you repeat it?”
What’s the catch?
This is a phrase that is used to mean, “What’s the disadvantage?” or “It
sounds good, but are there any hidden problems?”
“I’ll sell you my car for just $500!”
“Oh really? What’s the catch?”
catch sight ofsomeone/something
Catching a bus describes the process of getting to a stop/station, waiting
and boarding.
Taking a bus describes the entire process, including the journey itself.
Much of the time, the distinction isn't important. For example:
"How did you get to work today?"
"I caught a bus." (The listener infers that having caught the
bus, you stay on it)
"I took the bus." (You have described the journey)
However, it could be relevant:
"I read a book while I was taking the bus" (yes: reading while
the bus is moving)
"I read a book while I was catching the bus" (unlikely: reading
while stepping onto the bus, paying the driver, etc.)
It is a similar meaning to catch as catching a fish, or catching a ball.
You and the bus are apart, and then you bring yourself into contact with it
through your own effort. If you try to catch a bus, and fail, you miss it.
One other thing, you catch a bus at a specific place:
"You can catch the bus to Coventry on Smith Street"
But you take the bus from a place:
"You can take the bus to Coventry from Smith Street"
