n.

1. a drawback or difficulty that is not readily evident;
   gimmick
   
   • it sounds good but what's the catch?
2. the quantity that was caught;
   haul
   
   • the catch was only 10 fish
3. a person regarded as a good matrimonial prospect;
   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;
   stop
   
   • he used a book as a stop to hold the door open
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;
   grab, snatch, snap
   
   • 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
10. the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal);
    apprehension, arrest, collar, pinch, taking into custody
    
    • the policeman on the beat got credit for the collar

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;
   pick up
   
   • 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
3. reach with a blow or hit in a particular spot;
   get
   
   • the rock caught her in the back of the head
   • The blow got him in the back
   • The punch caught him in the stomach
4. take hold of so as to seize or restrain or stop the motion of;
   grab, take hold of
   
   • Catch the ball!
   • Grab the elevator door!
5. succeed in catching or seizing, especially after a chase;
   get, capture
   
   • We finally got the suspect
   • Did you catch the thief?
6. to hook or entangle;
   hitch
   
   • One foot caught in the stirrup
7. attract and fix;
   arrest, get
   
   • His look caught her
   • She caught his eye
   • Catch the attention of the waiter
8. capture as if by hunting, snaring, or trapping;
   capture
   
   • I caught a rabbit in the trap toady
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;
    overtake, catch up with
    
    • The Rolls Royce caught us near the exit ramp
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;
    take in, overhear
    
    • We overheard the conversation at the next table
15. see or watch;
    watch, view, see, take in
    
    • 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
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;
    trip up
    
    • The reporter tripped up the senator
18. grasp with the mind or develop an understanding of;
    get
    
    • 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
19. contract
    
    • did you catch a cold?
20. start burning
    
    • The fire caught
21. perceive by hearing;
    get
    
    • I didn't catch your name
    • She didn't get his name when they met the first time
22. suffer from the receipt of;
    get
    
    • She will catch hell for this behavior!
23. attract; cause to be enamored;
    capture, enamour, trance, becharm, enamor, captivate, beguile, charm, fascinate, bewitch, entrance, enchant
    
    • She captured all the men's hearts
24. apprehend and reproduce accurately;
    get
    
    • She really caught the spirit of the place in her drawings
    • She got the mood just right in her photographs
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