English Phrases and Idioms With “Catch” Posted by sasha on Dec 6, 2017 in Culture, English Language, English Vocabulary
English can be a confusing language. There are so many words in English that can have different meanings depending on the context. Add in slang and idioms, and ESL learners can often find themselves quite confused even though they know the meaning of a word on its own. In this post, we’ll look at some English phrases and idioms with “catch” and give you the meaning and usage.
catch up (to someone or something)
I need to catch up to my friends. Maybe then I can catch up with them.
Meaning: to go faster so you can reach someone/something ahead of you; to improve to reach the same standard as someone/something
Example: “Let’s walk a little faster so we can catch up with them.”
“Will the United States ever catch up with Japan in high-speed trains?”
catch up (with someone or something)
Meaning: to do something you didn’t have time for earlier; to discuss what has happened since the last time you met
Example: “I was busy traveling all week, so I need to catch up on the news.”
“It’s been so long since we got together. We really need to catch up.”
catch on
Meaning: understand what is meant or how to do something; to become popular
Example: “He didn’t catch on at first, be he understood eventually.”
“I wonder if American football will ever catch on in the UK.”
catch you later
Meaning: an informal way of saying goodbye
Example: “I gotta go. Catch you later!”
catch a break
Meaning: to obtain or receive a lucky opportunity
Example: “She’s been working so hard to get into acting. I really hope she can catch a break one of these days.”
catch your breath
Meaning: to wait and rest for a moment after you’ve been very active
Example: “Wow this hike is difficult! I need to stop for a minute to catch my breath.”
catch some z’s
Meaning: get some sleep (in comics, a bubble showing “zzz” usually appears above someone sleeping)
Example: “It’s been a long day. I’m going to catch some z’s.”
catch of the day
The catch of the day looks good!
Meaning: the fish offered on a particular day at a restaurant
Example: “What’s the catch of the day today?”
“It’s mahi-mahi, and it’s delicious!”
she’s/he’s a catch
Meaning: someone is good to have a relationship with or marry because they’re attractive, smart, rich, etc.
Example: “He’s a lawyer and he’s handsome? You should definitely date him. He’s a catch!”
catch a cold
Meaning: become infected with a cold
Example: “It’s freezing out there! Put on your hat and gloves or you’ll catch a cold.”
catch-22
Meaning: a dilemma or difficult situation from which there is no escape; also the title of a novel by Joseph Heller
Example: “I need to get a job, but I don’t have enough experience. In order to get experience, I need a job. It’s a real catch-22.”
Sorry, I didn’t catch that.
Meaning: I beg your pardon; I didn’t understand
Example: “Sorry it’s really noisy in here. I didn’t catch that. Could you please repeat that?”
What’s the catch?
Meaning: a question following something that sounds too good to be true, because you think there is a condition
Example: “Wow! Do you see that? They’re giving away a free trip to Hawaii!”
“Sounds too good to be true. What’s the catch?”
“Well, you need to attend a time-share meeting for half a day and win a raffle at the end…”
to catch someone red-handed
Meaning: to discover someone while they are doing something bad/wrong
Example: “The boys were caught red-handed spray painting the walls at school.”
to catch someone off guard
Meaning: to surprise someone in a way that makes them confused
Example: “Did you have any idea he was going to propose?”
“No! He totally caught me off guard! I had no idea!”
to catch someone’s eye
Meaning: to be noticed by someone; to attract someone’s attention
Example: “I was looking for a gift for my mom, and this tea set really caught my eye. It’s beautiful!”
The early bird catches the worm.
Meaning: one who arrives first has the best chance at success
Example: “How did you get tickets for the concert? It sold out in 5 minutes!”
“I was in line 2 hours before it opened. The early bird catches the worm!”
It’s not always easy to use slang and idioms when you’re learning a language, but it’s good to try! See if you can find a way to use some of these phrases and idioms in your own life. You can even feel free to leave a comment with a situation and what you might say, and I’ll respond giving you my thoughts.
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About the Author: sasha
Sasha is an English teacher, writer, photographer, and videographer from the great state of Michigan. Upon graduating from Michigan State University, he moved to China and spent 5+ years living, working, studying, and traveling there. He also studied Indonesian Language & Culture in Bali for a year. He and his wife run the travel blog Grateful Gypsies, and they're currently trying the digital nomad lifestyle across Latin America.