1 a : to use your hands to stop and hold (an object that is moving through the air) [+ obj] ▪ Catch the ball and throw it to first base. ▪ She caught the ball with one hand. ▪ I dropped the book but managed to catch it before it hit the ground. [no obj] ▪ I'll throw you the keys. Ready? Catch!
b [+ obj] : to use your hands to grasp and hold onto (someone or something)
▪ He caught [=grabbed, seized] her by the wrist. ▪ He caught hold of her wrist. 2 [+ obj] : to capture and not allow (a person, animal, or fish) to escape
▪ The police are working hard to catch the criminals and put them in jail. ▪ “I bet you can't catch me!” she yelled to her brother. ▪ I once caught 10 fish in a single day. ▪ In the summer, we would catch fireflies and put them in jars. ▪ catching mice in traps ▪ lions catching their prey 3 [+ obj] a : to manage to find, meet, or reach (someone) at a particular time or in a particular state or condition
▪ I caught her just as she was leaving for work. ▪ I'm afraid you've caught me at a bad time.
b : to find (someone who is doing something wrong)
▪ The police caught him trying to steal the painting. ▪ My teacher caught me cheating on a test. ▪ Her father caught her smoking in the basement. ▪ You'd never catch me doing that! [=I would never do that] ▪ They caught him in the act (of stealing the painting). = He was caught red-handed. 4 [+ obj] : to affect (someone) in a sudden and surprising way
▪ They were caught unprepared by the crisis. = The crisis caught them unawares. [=they were not prepared when the crisis occurred] ▪ The announcement caught me by surprise. [=I was surprised by the announcement] 5 [+ obj] a : to suddenly stop (yourself) before you do something
▪ Luckily, he caught himself before he gave away the secret.
b : to suddenly become aware that you are doing something
▪ He caught himself staring at her. 6 [+ obj] : to cause (someone) to be stopped, delayed, etc. — usually used as (be/get) caught ▪ We got caught in a rain storm and had to find shelter. ▪ I'm sorry I'm late. I was caught in traffic. ▪ We got caught up in traffic and were late for our flight. — see also caught up in 1 (below) 7 : to cause (something) to become stuck and unable to move [+ obj] ▪ I caught my sleeve on a nail. ▪ The kite got caught [=tangled] in the tree. ▪ She tried to stand up, but her foot was caught in the strap. [no obj] ▪ My sleeve caught on a nail. 8 [no obj] : to have the parts connect firmly
▪ I tried to lock the door, but the lock wouldn't catch. 9 [+ obj] a : to stop and hold (falling water)
▪ They kept a bucket outside to catch the rain.
b : to become covered with (something that moves through the air)
▪ These curtains catch a lot of dust. 10 [+ obj] a : to hit or touch (someone or something)
▪ The bullet caught him in the leg. ▪ His last punch caught me in the jaw. ▪ Isn't it beautiful the way the setting sun catches the tips of the trees?
b : to be hit or touched by (something)
▪ He caught a bullet in the leg. ▪ The tips of the trees catch the light as the sun sets. 11 [+ obj] : to become affected with (a sickness or disease)
▪ We both caught [=contracted] the flu. ▪ I seem to catch a cold every winter. ▪ children catching colds from each other ◊When people say that you will catch your death (of cold), they mean that you will become sick or catch a very bad cold.
▪ It's freezing! You'll catch your death if you go out without a coat! — see also catching 12 [+ obj] : to begin to feel excitement or interest about something
▪ I haven't caught the holiday spirit yet this year. ▪ People are getting really interested in the sport. The whole country is starting to catch the fever. 13 [+ obj] : to attract and hold (someone's attention, interest, etc.)
▪ I tried to catch the waiter's attention, but I guess he didn't see me. ▪ The show is more likely to catch the interest of an older audience. ▪ Her books have caught the imagination of children from around the world. [=children find her books very exciting and enjoyable] ◊If someone or something catches your eye, you notice that person or thing.
▪ There was one dress in particular that caught my eye. — see also eye-catching 14 [+ obj] : to see, smell, or notice (something)
▪ I caught [=got] a faint whiff of her perfume. ▪ While you're in Hollywood, you might catch a glimpse of some movie stars. ▪ I caught sight of his red shirt and started calling to him. 15 [+ obj] informal : to hear or understand (something)
▪ What was that again? I didn't quite catch [=hear, get] what you said. ▪ I didn't catch your name. ▪ Do you catch my drift? [=do you understand what I mean?] 16 [+ obj] : to become aware of (something, such as an illness)
▪ The disease is curable if caught [=detected] early. 17 [+ obj] : to have or do (something)
▪ You can catch [=take] a quick nap on the train. 18 [+ obj] : to get (something) through effort
▪ I managed to catch [=get] a ride into town with some friends. 19 [+ obj] informal : to meet with (someone)
▪ “See you soon.” “Yup. Catch you later.” 20 [+ obj] : to move fast enough to be next to or in front of (someone)
▪ She caught [=overtook] the leader in the final meters of the race. ▪ He left before I did so I had to hurry to catch him. [=to catch up with him] 21 [+ obj] : to get on a bus, train, etc., before it leaves
▪ If you miss the first bus, you can catch the next one in 15 minutes. ▪ If you'll excuse me, I have a plane to catch. 22 [+ obj] : to see or hear (a show, game, etc.)
▪ I only caught the last few minutes of the game. ▪ Did you catch the show on Channel 4 last night? 23 [+ obj] : to describe or show (someone or something) in an accurate way in art
▪ The new portrait catches her likeness perfectly. ▪ The novel successfully catches the atmosphere of 19th-century Paris. 24 [no obj] baseball : to play the position of catcher
▪ He catches for the New York Yankees. ▪ If you pitch, I'll catch.