catch
noun
a drawback or difficulty that is not readily evident
“it sounds good but what's the catch?”
Synonymsgimmickthe quantity that was caught
“the catch was only 10 fish”
Synonymshaula person regarded as a good matrimonial prospect
Synonymsmatchanything that is caught (especially if it is worth catching)
“he shared his catch with the others”
a break or check in the voice (usually a sign of strong emotion)
a restraint that checks the motion of something
“he used a book as a stop to hold the door open”
Synonymsstopa fastener that fastens or locks a door or window
a cooperative game in which a ball is passed back and forth
“he played catch with his son in the backyard”
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”
the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal)
“the policeman on the beat got credit for the collar”
verb
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”
perceive with the senses quickly, suddenly, or momentarily
“I caught the aroma of coffee”
“He caught the allusion in her glance”
Synonymspick upreach 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”
Synonymsgettake hold of so as to seize or restrain or stop the motion of
“Catch the ball!”
“Grab the elevator door!”
succeed in catching or seizing, especially after a chase
“We finally got the suspect”
“Did you catch the thief?”
to hook or entangle
“One foot caught in the stirrup”
Synonymshitchattract and fix
“His look caught her”
“She caught his eye”
capture as if by hunting, snaring, or trapping
“I caught a rabbit in the trap today”
Synonymscapturereach in time
“I have to catch a train at 7 o'clock”
get or regain something necessary, usually quickly or briefly
“Catch some sleep”
“catch one's breath”
catch up with and possibly overtake
“The Rolls Royce caught us near the exit ramp”
be struck or affected by
“catch fire”
“catch the mood”
check oneself during an action
“She managed to catch herself before telling her boss what was on her mind”
hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
“We overheard the conversation at the next table”
see or watch
“view a show on television”
“This program will be seen all over the world”
cause to become accidentally or suddenly caught, ensnared, or entangled
“I caught the hem of my dress in the brambles”
detect a blunder or misstep
“The reporter tripped up the senator”
Synonymstrip upgrasp with the mind or develop an understanding of
“did you catch that allusion?”
“We caught something of his theory in the lecture”
Synonymsgetcontract
“did you catch a cold?”
start burning
“The fire caught”
perceive by hearing
“I didn't catch your name”
“She didn't get his name when they met the first time”
Synonymsgetsuffer from the receipt of
“She will catch hell for this behavior!”
Synonymsgetattract; cause to be enamored
“She captured all the men's hearts”
apprehend and reproduce accurately
“She really caught the spirit of the place in her drawings”
“She got the mood just right in her photographs”
Synonymsgettake in and retain
“We have a big barrel to catch the rainwater”
spread or be communicated
“The fashion did not catch”
be the catcher
“Who is catching?”
become aware of
“he caught her staring out the window”
delay or hold up; prevent from proceeding on schedule or as planned
“I was caught in traffic and missed the meeting”
Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University