Catch - Definition

n 1: a drawback or difficulty that is not readily evident; "it
sounds good but what's the catch?" [syn: catch,
gimmick]
2: the quantity that was caught; "the catch was only 10 fish"
[syn: catch, haul]
3: a person regarded as a good matrimonial prospect [syn:
catch, match]
4: anything that is caught (especially if it is worth catching);
"he shared his catch with the others"
5: a break or check in the voice (usually a sign of strong
emotion)
6: a restraint that checks the motion of something; "he used a
book as a stop to hold the door open" [syn: catch, stop]
7: a fastener that fastens or locks a door or window
8: a cooperative game in which a ball is passed back and forth;
"he played catch with his son in the backyard"
9: the act of catching an object with the hands; "Mays made the
catch with his back to the plate"; "he made a grab for the
ball before it landed"; "Martin's snatch at the bridle failed
and the horse raced away"; "the infielder's snap and throw
was a single motion" [syn: catch, grab, snatch, snap]
10: the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a
criminal); "the policeman on the beat got credit for the
collar" [syn: apprehension, arrest, catch, collar,
pinch, taking into custody]
v 1: discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or
unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a
certain state; "She caught her son eating candy"; "She was
caught shoplifting"
2: perceive with the senses quickly, suddenly, or momentarily;
"I caught the aroma of coffee"; "He caught the allusion in
her glance"; "ears open to catch every sound"; "The dog
picked up the scent"; "Catch a glimpse" [syn: catch, pick
up]
3: reach with a blow or hit in a particular spot; "the rock
caught her in the back of the head"; "The blow got him in the
back"; "The punch caught him in the stomach" [syn: get,
catch]
4: take hold of so as to seize or restrain or stop the motion
of; "Catch the ball!"; "Grab the elevator door!" [syn:
catch, grab, take hold of]
5: succeed in catching or seizing, especially after a chase; "We
finally got the suspect"; "Did you catch the thief?" [syn:
get, catch, capture]
6: to hook or entangle; "One foot caught in the stirrup" [syn:
hitch, catch] [ant: unhitch]
7: attract and fix; "His look caught her"; "She caught his eye";
"Catch the attention of the waiter" [syn: catch, arrest,
get]
8: capture as if by hunting, snaring, or trapping; "I caught a
rabbit in the trap today" [syn: capture, catch]
9: reach in time; "I have to catch a train at 7 o'clock"
10: get or regain something necessary, usually quickly or
briefly; "Catch some sleep"; "catch one's breath"
11: catch up with and possibly overtake; "The Rolls Royce caught
us near the exit ramp" [syn: overtake, catch, catch up
with]
12: be struck or affected by; "catch fire"; "catch the mood"
13: check oneself during an action; "She managed to catch
herself before telling her boss what was on her mind"
14: hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers; "We
overheard the conversation at the next table" [syn: catch,
take in, overhear]
15: see or watch; "view a show on television"; "This program
will be seen all over the world"; "view an exhibition";
"Catch a show on Broadway"; "see a movie" [syn: watch,
view, see, catch, take in]
16: cause to become accidentally or suddenly caught, ensnared,
or entangled; "I caught the hem of my dress in the brambles"
17: detect a blunder or misstep; "The reporter tripped up the
senator" [syn: trip up, catch]
18: grasp with the mind or develop an understanding of; "did you
catch that allusion?"; "We caught something of his theory in
the lecture"; "don't catch your meaning"; "did you get it?";
"She didn't get the joke"; "I just don't get him" [syn:
catch, get]
19: contract; "did you catch a cold?"
20: start burning; "The fire caught"
21: perceive by hearing; "I didn't catch your name"; "She didn't
get his name when they met the first time" [syn: catch,
get]
22: suffer from the receipt of; "She will catch hell for this
behavior!" [syn: catch, get]
23: attract; cause to be enamored; "She captured all the men's
hearts" [syn: capture, enamour, trance, catch,
becharm, enamor, captivate, beguile, charm,
fascinate, bewitch, entrance, enchant]
24: apprehend and reproduce accurately; "She really caught the
spirit of the place in her drawings"; "She got the mood just
right in her photographs" [syn: catch, get]
25: take in and retain; "We have a big barrel to catch the
rainwater"
26: spread or be communicated; "The fashion did not catch"
27: be the catcher; "Who is catching?"
28: become aware of; "he caught her staring out the window"
29: delay or hold up; prevent from proceeding on schedule or as
planned; "I was caught in traffic and missed the meeting"