catch / kach; kech/ • v. (past caught / kôt/ ) [tr.] 1. intercept and hold (something that has been thrown, propelled, or dropped). ∎  intercept the fall of (someone). ∎  seize or take hold of: he caught hold of her arm as she tried to push past him. ∎  [intr.] (catch at) grasp or try to grasp: his hands caught at her arms as she tried to turn away.2. capture (a person or animal that tries or would try to escape): we hadn't caught a single rabbit. ∎  [intr.] (of an object) accidentally become entangled or trapped in something: the charm bracelet caught on her clothing. ∎  [tr.] (of a person) have (a part of one's body or clothing) become entangled or trapped in something: she caught her foot in the bedspread| fig. companies face risks of being caught in a downward spiral. ∎  [tr.] (usu. be caught) fix or fasten in place: her hair was caught back in a scrunchie.3. reach in time and board (a train, bus, or aircraft): they caught the 12:15 from Chicago. ∎  reach or be in a place in time to see (a person, performance, program, etc.): hurrying downstairs to catch the news. ∎  come upon (someone) unexpectedly: unexpected snow caught us by surprise. ∎  (be caught in) (of a person) unexpectedly find oneself in (an unwelcome situation): my sister was caught in a thunderstorm. ∎  (catch it) inf. be punished or told off. ∎  (often be caught) surprise (someone) in an incriminating situation or in the act of doing something wrong: he was caught with bomb-making equipment.4. engage (a person's interest or imagination). ∎  perceive fleetingly: she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. ∎  hear or understand (something said), esp. with effort: he bellowed something Jess couldn't catch. ∎  succeed in evoking or representing: the program caught something of the flavor of Minoan culture.5. [tr.] strike (someone) on a part of the body: Ben caught him on the chin. ∎  accidentally strike (a part of one's body) against something: she fell and caught her head on the corner of the hearth.6. contract (an illness) through infection or contagion.7. [intr.] become ignited, due to contact with flame, and start burning: the rafters have caught. ∎  (of an engine) fire and start running.• n. 1. an act of catching something, typically a ball. ∎  an amount of fish caught: a record catch of 6.9 billion pounds of fish. ∎  [in sing.] inf. a person considered attractive, successful, or prestigious and so desirable as a partner or spouse: he would be a good catch.2. a device for securing something such as a door, window, or box.3. a hidden problem or disadvantage in an apparently ideal situation: there's a catch in it somewhere.4. [in sing.] an unevenness in a person's voice caused by emotion.5. Mus. a round, typically one with words arranged to produce a humorous effect.PHRASES: catch someone nappingsee nap¹ .be caught shortsee short.catch one's breath1. draw one's breath in sharply as a reaction to an emotion.2. recover one's breath after exertion.catch one's death (of cold) see death.catch someone's eye1. be noticed by someone.2. attract someone's attention by making eye contact: I caught Rhoda's eye and gave her a friendly wave.catch fire become ignited and burn.catch someone in the actsee act.catch sight of suddenly notice; glimpse.PHRASAL VERBS: catch on inf. 1. (of a practice or fashion) become popular: his music never caught on in the South.2. understand what is meant or how to do something: I caught on to what it was the guy was saying.catch up succeed in reaching a person who is ahead of one: O'Hara caught up with Stella at the bottom of the hill. ∎  do work or other tasks that one should have done earlier: catch up on paperwork.catch up with1. talk to (someone) whom one has not seen for some time in order to find out what they have been doing.2. begin to have a damaging effect on.3. succeed in reaching a person who is ahead of one: you go with Stasia and Katie, and I'll catch up with you.be/get caught up in become involved in (something that one had not intended to become involved in): he had no desire to be caught up in political activities.DERIVATIVES: catch·a·ble adj.ORIGIN: Middle English (also in the sense ‘chase’): from Anglo-Norman French and Old Northern French cachier, variant of Old French chacier, based on Latin captare ‘try to catch,’ from capere ‘take.’