The meaning of Catch

verb

Take in or soak up (energy or a liquid or other substance) by chemical or physical action.

Usage examples:

Buildings can be designed to absorb and retain heat

verb

To take in a liquid, gas, or chemical

Usage examples:

The black clay soil around here doesn’t absorb water very well., fig. the country has absorbed mill…

verb

If an organization absorbs the cost of something, it pays that cost

Usage examples:

The law school has absorbed most of the expenses so far, but it may have to offer fewer places next…

verb

Buy or obtain (an asset or object) for oneself.

Usage examples:

I managed to acquire all the books i needed

verb

Come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

verb

To obtain or begin to have something

Usage examples:

His family acquired the property in 1985., she acquired her love of the outdoors as a child.

verb

Arrest (someone) for a crime.

Usage examples:

A warrant was issued but he has not been apprehended

verb

Anticipate with dread or anxiety

verb

To catch and put a person under police control; to arrest

Usage examples:

Last night police apprehended the suspect.

verb

Seize (someone) by legal authority and take them into custody.

Usage examples:

The police arrested him for possession of marijuana

noun

The action of seizing someone and taking them into custody.

Usage examples:

I have a warrant for your arrest

verb

Take into custody

verb

Go up or climb.

Usage examples:

She ascended the stairs

verb

To move up or climb something

Usage examples:

[ t ] they slowly ascended the steep path up the mountain., [ i ] a long flight of steps ascends (=…

verb

Cause to come to a place or participate in a venture by offering something of interest or advantage.

Usage examples:

A campaign to attract more visitors to shetland

verb

To cause something to come toward something else, or to cause a person or animal to become interested in someone or something

Usage examples:

An open flame attracts moths., the tennis championship will attract a lot of tourists to the city.,…

verb

To make people want to visit a place or find out more about something

Usage examples:

Attract visitors/audiences/fans the exhibition attracted over 10,000 visitors., attract interest/at…

noun

A flexible container with an opening at the top, used for carrying things.

Usage examples:

He arrived at the children's ward carrying a bag full of toys for the young patients

verb

Put (something) in a bag.

Usage examples:

Customers bagged their own groceries

noun

A sudden loud, sharp noise.

Usage examples:

The door slammed with a bang

verb

Strike or put down (something) forcefully and noisily.

Usage examples:

He began to bang the table with his fist

adverb

Exactly.

Usage examples:

The train arrived bang on time

noun

A long rigid piece of wood, metal, or similar material, typically used as an obstruction, fastening, or weapon.

Usage examples:

An iron bar

verb

Fasten (something, especially a door or window) with a bar or bars.

Usage examples:

She bolted and barred the door

preposition

Except for.

Usage examples:

His kids were all gone now, bar one

noun

A strip of land covered with sand, shingle, or small stones at the edge of a body of water, especially by the sea between high- and low-water marks.

Usage examples:

Fabulous sandy beaches

verb

A pebbly or sandy shore, especially by the sea between high- and low-water marks.

Usage examples:

Fabulous sandy beaches

noun

A flat, sloping area of sand or small stones beside the sea or a lake

Usage examples:

Let’s go to the beach.

verb

Enchant and delight (someone).

Usage examples:

They both were bewitched by the golden luminosity of italy

verb

To attract or interest someone a lot so that you have the power to influence them

Usage examples:

He was bewitched by her beauty.

noun

A long, thin, flat piece of wood or other hard material, used for floors or other building purposes.

Usage examples:

Loose boards creaked as i walked on them

verb

Get on or into (a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle).

Usage examples:

We boarded the plane for oslo

noun

A thin, flat piece of hard material such as wood or plastic

Usage examples:

The floor boards of the old house squeaked as he walked across them., an ironing board, a cheese bo…

noun

A bar that slides into a socket to fasten a door or window.

Usage examples:

He reached through the hole in the door and slid the bolt on the inside.

verb

Fasten (a door or window) with a bar that slides into a socket.

Usage examples:

All the doors were locked and bolted

verb

(of a horse or other animal) run away suddenly, typically from fear.

Usage examples:

The horses shied and bolted

verb

(of a fire) produce flames and heat while consuming a material such as coal or wood.

Usage examples:

A fire burned and crackled cheerfully in the grate

noun

An injury caused by exposure to heat or flame.

Usage examples:

He was treated in hospital for burns to his hands

noun

A small stream.

Usage examples:

There is a burn running through the flower beds

noun

A woman's chest as measured around her breasts.

Usage examples:

A 36-inch bust

verb

Break, split, or burst.

Usage examples:

They bust the tunnel wide open

adjective

Damaged or broken.

Usage examples:

The vacuum cleaner's bust

verb

Attract and hold the interest and attention of; charm.

Usage examples:

He was captivated by her beauty

verb

To hold the attention of someone by being extremely interesting, exciting, charming, or attractive

Usage examples:

Her singing captivated audiences everywhere.

verb

Take into one's possession or control by force.

Usage examples:

The island was captured by australian forces in 1914

noun

The action of capturing or of being captured.

Usage examples:

The capture of the city

verb

(with reference to the fingers or hand) close into a tight ball, especially as a manifestation of extreme anger.

Usage examples:

She clenched her fists, struggling for control

noun

A contraction or tightening of part of the body.

Usage examples:

She saw the anger rise, saw the clench of his fists

verb

To hold something tightly, or press together your lips or your hands in anger or determination

Usage examples:

He clenched his fist and waved it at the crowd.

noun

A flexible or spring-loaded device for holding an object or objects together or in place.

Usage examples:

He undid two clips and lifted the lid

verb

Fasten or be fastened with a clip or clips.

Usage examples:

She clipped on a pair of diamond earrings

noun

An act of clipping or trimming something.

Usage examples:

I gave him a full clip

verb

Grasp (something) tightly.

Usage examples:

He stood clutching a microphone

noun

A tight grasp.

Usage examples:

She made a clutch at his body

adjective

(in sport) denoting or occurring at a critical situation in which the outcome of a game or competition is at stake.

Usage examples:

They both are hard-nosed players who seem to thrive in clutch situations

noun

A circumstance that complicates something; a difficulty.

Usage examples:

There is a complication concerning ownership of the site

noun

Something that makes a situation more difficult

Usage examples:

This complication had not been foreseen., he died from complications of diabetes.

noun

The state of physical touching.

Usage examples:

Equipment in contact with water can benefit from rubber lining

verb

Communicate with (someone), typically in order to give or receive information.

Usage examples:

Anyone with any information should contact darlington police

noun

Communication with someone, or with a group or organization

Usage examples:

Have you kept in contact with your friends from college?, the pilot was always in contact with an a…

noun

A written or spoken agreement, especially one concerning employment, sales, or tenancy, that is intended to be enforceable by law.

Usage examples:

He has just signed a contract keeping him with the club

verb

Decrease in size, number, or range.

Usage examples:

Glass contracts as it cools

noun

A legal document that states and explains a formal agreement between two different people or groups, or the agreement itself

Usage examples:

She already has a contract for her next book with a publisher., i have no other contractual obligat…

noun

A line on the surface of something along which it has split without breaking apart.

Usage examples:

A hairline crack down the middle of the glass

verb

Break or cause to break without a complete separation of the parts.

Usage examples:

The ice all over the bog had cracked

adjective

Very good or skilful.

Usage examples:

He is a crack shot

noun

An unfavourable circumstance or condition that reduces the chances of success or effectiveness.

Usage examples:

A major disadvantage is the limited nature of the data

verb

Put in an unfavourable position in relation to someone or something else.

Usage examples:

The pension scheme tends to disadvantage women

noun

Something that makes a successful result less likely, esp. less likely for you than it is for others

Usage examples:

There are disadvantages to living in a rural area., she felt that being so young put her at a disad…

verb

Perform (an action, the precise nature of which is often unspecified).

Usage examples:

Very little work has been done in this field

noun

Used before a verb (except be, can, may, ought, shall, will ) in questions and negative statements.

Usage examples:

Do you have any pets?

noun

Variant spelling of doh1.

noun

The negative aspect of something otherwise regarded as good or desirable.

Usage examples:

He says being a rock star is a fun line of work when you're young, but admits fame can have its dow…

noun

The negative part of a situation

Usage examples:

It’s a great plan – the downside is that it’s going to cost a lot of money.

noun

A disadvantage or problem

Usage examples:

The only downside of working here is that it is so far from my home., the town's rapid growth does …

verb

Produce (a picture or diagram) by making lines and marks on paper with a pencil, pen, etc.

Usage examples:

He drew a map

noun

An act of selecting names randomly to decide winners in a lottery, opponents in a sporting contest, etc.

Usage examples:

The draw has been made for this year's tournament

verb

Cause to move by pulling

noun

A feature that renders something less acceptable; a disadvantage or problem.

Usage examples:

The main drawback of fitting catalytic converters is the cost

noun

A disadvantage or problem; the negative part of a situation

Usage examples:

One of the drawbacks of working for a big company is that you have to follow a lot of rules.

noun

A disadvantage, or the negative part of a situation, product, etc.

Usage examples:

A drawback for some savers is that the bond has a minimum investment of £10,000., a big/main/major …

verb

Go on board a ship or aircraft.

Usage examples:

He embarked for india in 1817

verb

To go on to a ship or an aircraft

Usage examples:

We embarked at miami for our caribbean cruise.

verb

To go onto a ship, aircraft, or train

Usage examples:

The flight crew embarked and the plane took off., the ship had an electrical hoist which allowed ca…

verb

Go or put on board an aircraft.

Usage examples:

Some travellers spend the night before emplaning the next day for new york

verb

Occupy or attract (someone's interest or attention).

Usage examples:

He ploughed on, trying to outline his plans and engage sutton's attention

adjective

(of a writer or artist) committed to a particular aim or cause.

Usage examples:

He was determined that his writing and thinking should be engagé

verb

Consume all of one's attention or time

verb

Catch in or as in a trap.

Usage examples:

They were ensnared in city centre traffic

verb

Take or catch as if in a trap

verb

To catch or get control of something or someone

Usage examples:

Spiders ensnare flies and other insects in their webs., be ensnared in they wanted to make a formal…

verb

Board a train.

Usage examples:

Arriving in bombay, they entrain and travel up the country

verb

(of a current or fluid) incorporate and sweep along in its flow.

Usage examples:

Convection does not entrain liquids very far

noun

Enthusiasm or animation.

noun

A device that closes or secures something.

Usage examples:

The fasteners that attach the panel to the wall had corroded

noun

A button or other device for joining together the separate parts of something, esp. clothes

noun

A device that closes or secures something.

Usage examples:

A fly-front fastening

verb

Close or do up securely.

Usage examples:

The tunic was fastened with a row of gilt buttons

noun

A device on a window, door, box, etc. for keeping it closed

verb

Be aware of (a person or object) through touching or being touched.

Usage examples:

She felt someone touch her shoulder

noun

An act of touching something to examine it.

Usage examples:

I let him have a feel of my hair and kept saying ‘it's a bit of a shock, isn't it?’ (must have been…

verb

Be conscious of a physical, mental, or emotional state

noun

A hot glowing body of ignited gas that is generated by something on fire.

Usage examples:

The car was engulfed in flames

verb

Burn and give off flames.

Usage examples:

A great fire flamed in an open fireplace

noun

The hot light of a fire

Usage examples:

[ u ] the logs in the fireplace burst into flame., the house was in flames (= burning)., the fire s…

verb

Obtain or secure (something wanted or desirable).

Usage examples:

We gained entry to the car in five seconds

noun

An increase in wealth or resources.

Usage examples:

The pursuit of personal gain

verb

Obtain

phrasal verb

Get on board of (trains, buses, ships, aircraft, etc.)

phrasal verb

To have a good relationship or deal successfully with a situation

Usage examples:

Alexis and her roommate are getting along better., she doesn’t get on well with her father.

phrasal verb

Arrive at the point of

verb

To take something into your possession, or have something happen that you accept or receive

Usage examples:

He climbed over the fence to get his ball back., monique raised her hand to get the teacher’s atten…

verb

To obtain, buy, or earn something

Usage examples:

I think she gets about $40,000 a year., get sth for sth how much did he get for his business when h…

verb

Grasp or seize suddenly and roughly.

Usage examples:

She grabbed him by the shirt collar

noun

A quick sudden clutch or attempt to seize.

Usage examples:

He made a grab at the pistol

verb

Take or seize suddenly

verb

Seize and hold firmly.

Usage examples:

She grasped the bottle

noun

A firm hold or grip.

Usage examples:

The child slipped from her grasp

verb

Hold firmly

verb

Take and keep a firm hold of; grasp tightly.

Usage examples:

His knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel

noun

A firm hold; a tight grasp.

Usage examples:

His arm was held in a vice-like grip

verb

Hold fast or firmly

noun

An involuntary spasm of the diaphragm and respiratory organs, with a sudden closure of the glottis and a characteristic gulping sound.

Usage examples:

Then she got hiccups

verb

Have an attack of hiccups or a single hiccup.

Usage examples:

They lay about hiccuping and giggling

noun

One of a series of sudden, explosive releases of air from the throat, which are difficult to control but usually stop after a short time

Usage examples:

I’ve got the hiccups., she couldn’t stop hiccuping.

noun

A thing that provides resistance, delay, or obstruction to something or someone.

Usage examples:

A hindrance to the development process

noun

Something that makes it more difficult for you to do something or for something to develop

Usage examples:

I've never considered my disability a hindrance, but other people have.

verb

Grasp, carry, or support with one's hands.

Usage examples:

She was holding a brown leather suitcase

noun

An act or manner of grasping something; a grip.

Usage examples:

He caught hold of her arm

noun

A large compartment or space in the lower part of a ship or aircraft in which cargo is stowed.

Usage examples:

Oversized baggage is placed in the hold of the plane

noun

A piece of metal or other hard material curved or bent back at an angle, for catching hold of or hanging things on.

Usage examples:

A picture hook

verb

Attach or fasten with a hook or hooks.

Usage examples:

The truck had a red lamp hooked to its tailgate

noun

One of a series of upright frames over which athletes in a race must jump.

Usage examples:

A hurdle race

verb

Take part in a hurdle race.

Usage examples:

This gelding hurdled fluently

verb

Catch fire or cause to catch fire.

Usage examples:

Furniture can give off lethal fumes when it ignites

verb

To start burning, or to cause something to start burning

Usage examples:

[ t ] the forest fire began when a spark from a campfire ignited some dry grass nearby., [ t ] fig.…

phrasal verb

Attack or take hold of someone suddenly.

Usage examples:

Two men jumped on him from behind

phrasal verb

To get on a plane, train, etc. to go somewhere quickly

Usage examples:

He jumped on a plane and flew out to chicago for the convention.

verb

Set (something) on fire.

Usage examples:

Last night i built the first fire i've kindled in years and it came back to me, that instinctual pu…

noun

A litter of kittens.

Usage examples:

She was asked to take in a kindle of kittens

verb

To cause a fire to start burning

Usage examples:

Fig. great literature kindled their imaginations (= made them work).

noun

The part of the earth's surface that is not covered by water.

Usage examples:

The reptiles lay their eggs on land

verb

Put (someone or something) on land from a boat.

Usage examples:

He landed his troops at hastings

noun

A state of germany or austria.

Usage examples:

A second school highlights the distinctive role of regional governments in federal systems, however…

noun

A mechanism for keeping a door, window, lid, or container fastened, typically operated by a key.

Usage examples:

The key turned firmly in the lock

verb

Fasten or secure (something) with a lock.

Usage examples:

She closed and locked her desk

noun

A piece of a person's hair that coils or hangs together.

Usage examples:

She pushed back a lock of hair

verb

Form (something) by putting parts together or combining substances; create.

Usage examples:

My grandmother made a dress for me

noun

The manufacturer or trade name of a product.

Usage examples:

The make, model, and year of his car

verb

Perform or carry out

preposition

With the subtraction of.

Usage examples:

What's ninety three minus seven?

adjective

(before a number) below zero; negative.

Usage examples:

Minus five

noun

Short for minus sign.

noun

A piece of open-meshed material made of twine, cord, or something similar, used typically for catching fish or other animals.

Usage examples:

Fishermen mending their nets

noun

A structure consisting of a net supported on a frame, forming the goal in games such as soccer and hockey.

Usage examples:

He turned wilson's cross into the net

noun

A fine fabric with a very open weave.

Usage examples:

Net curtains

noun

A hidden or unsuspected danger or difficulty.

Usage examples:

The pitfalls of buying goods at public auctions

noun

An unexpected danger or difficulty

Usage examples:

Who knows what kind of pitfalls they’re going to run into.

noun

A problem, used especially about problems that may happen in the future

Usage examples:

He took financial advice on how to avoid the pitfalls of setting up your own business., common/pote…

verb

Take hold of (something) and quickly remove it from its place.

Usage examples:

She plucked a blade of grass

noun

Spirited and determined courage.

Usage examples:

It must have taken a lot of pluck to walk along a path marked ‘danger’

verb

To remove something, esp. with a sudden movement

Usage examples:

Astronauts plan to use the shuttle’s robot arm to pluck the satellite out of space., she plucked he…

noun

A matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with and overcome.

Usage examples:

They have financial problems

adjective

Denoting or relating to people whose behaviour causes difficulties to themselves and others.

Usage examples:

Practitioners help families develop strategies for managing problem behaviour in teens

noun

Something that causes difficulty or that is hard to deal with

Usage examples:

Financing the camp’s athletic program is a problem., he has a serious health problem., i’m having p…

idiom

Get or bring together

phrasal verb

(of a vehicle) move to the side of or off the road.

Usage examples:

He pulled in at the kerb

phrasal verb

Succeed in securing or obtaining something.

Usage examples:

The party pulled in 10 per cent of the vote

verb

Tremble or shake with a slight rapid motion.

Usage examples:

The tree's branches stopped quivering

noun

A slight trembling movement or sound, especially one caused by a sudden strong emotion.

Usage examples:

She couldn't help the quiver in her voice

noun

An archer's portable case for holding arrows.

Usage examples:

He also had a framed backpack, a utility belt containing tools, a quiver containing 14 arrows, a fl…

verb

Be given, presented with, or paid (something).

Usage examples:

The band will receive a £100,000 advance

verb

Get something; come into possession of

verb

To get or be given something

Usage examples:

She received a letter from her son., i’ll receive my bachelor’s degree in the spring., the presiden…

phrasal verb

To get control of something or someone, sometimes by offering something in exchange

Usage examples:

The article offers tips on how computer users can avoid being reeled in by internet hustlers.

phrasal verb

(of a quality, trait, or condition) be common or inherent in members of a family, especially over several generations.

Usage examples:

Weight problems run in my family

phrasal verb

Arrest someone.

Usage examples:

I'm going to have to run you in

phrasal verb

Use something new in such a way as not to make maximum demands upon it.

Usage examples:

Whatever system you choose, you must run it in properly

verb

Take hold of suddenly and forcibly.

Usage examples:

She jumped up and seized his arm

verb

Take hold of; grab

verb

To take something quickly and hold it

Usage examples:

He seized her arm to lead her through the crowd., fig. while she was distracted, i seized the oppor…

noun

A reversal or check in progress.

Usage examples:

A serious setback for the peace process

noun

Something that causes delay or stops progress

Usage examples:

Democrats suffered a serious setback in yesterday’s election, losing all three contested seats.

noun

Something that happens that causes a delay or prevents a process from continuing

Usage examples:

He suffered a setback yesterday in his attempts to take a stake in the mobile phone company., a set…

verb

(of a structure or area of land) tremble or vibrate.

Usage examples:

Buildings shook in sacramento and tremors were felt in reno

noun

An act of shaking.

Usage examples:

She gave her red curls a shake

verb

Move or cause to move back and forth

noun

Small uncontrolled movements caused by someone being weak, ill, nervous, etc.

Usage examples:

The shakiness in his hands means he needs extra time to get dressed., her voice was a little too lo…

verb

Hit or strike with the palm of the hand or a flat object.

Usage examples:

My sister slapped my face

noun

A blow with the palm of the hand or a flat object.

Usage examples:

He gave her a slap across her cheek

adverb

Suddenly and directly, especially with great force.

Usage examples:

Storming out of her room, she went slap into luke

noun

A sharp slap or blow, typically one given with the palm of the hand.

Usage examples:

She gave mark a smack across the face

verb

Strike (someone or something), typically with the palm of the hand and as a punishment.

Usage examples:

Jessica smacked his face, quite hard

adverb

In a sudden and violent way.

Usage examples:

I ran smack into the back of a parked truck

noun

An unexpected or hidden obstacle or drawback.

Usage examples:

There's one small snag

verb

Catch or tear (something) on a sharp projection.

Usage examples:

Thorns snagged his sweater

noun

A sausage.

Usage examples:

I make my own snags, my own pies and pasties

verb

Quickly seize (something) in a rude or eager way.

Usage examples:

She snatched a biscuit from the plate

noun

An act of snatching or quickly seizing something.

Usage examples:

A quick snatch of breath

verb

Grasp hastily or eagerly

noun

A latch on a door or window.

Usage examples:

She quietly lifted the sneck and slipped out

verb

Close or fasten (a door or window) with a latch.

Usage examples:

Sneck the door and hide under the bed when they come

phrase

Any obstacle or impediment

noun

A circumstance that causes difficulty or hesitation.

Usage examples:

The country's water shortage was a stumbling block to investors

noun

A difficulty that prevents progress, understanding, or agreement

Usage examples:

Several major stumbling blocks must be resolved.

verb

Lay hold of (something) with one's hands; reach for and hold.

Usage examples:

Mrs morgan took another biscuit

noun

A scene or sequence of sound or vision photographed or recorded continuously at one time.

Usage examples:

He completed a particularly difficult scene in two takes

verb

Get into one's hands

noun

A device or enclosure designed to catch and retain animals, typically by allowing entry but not exit or by catching hold of a part of the body.

Usage examples:

The squirrels ravaged the saplings, despite the baited traps

verb

Short for trapdoor.

verb

Put trappings on (a horse).

Usage examples:

The horses were trapped with black velvet

noun

An involuntary quivering movement.

Usage examples:

A disorder that causes tremors and muscle rigidity

verb

Undergo a tremor or tremors.

Usage examples:

A muscle in my jaw tremored uncontrollably

noun

A shaking movement in a person’s body, usually because of fright, excitement, or illness

Usage examples:

I felt a tremor of anxiety as the plane lifted off the ground., the tremor was centered just south …

noun

A cunning act or scheme intended to deceive or outwit someone.

Usage examples:

He's a double-dealer capable of any mean trick

verb

Cunningly deceive or outwit.

Usage examples:

Many people have been tricked by villains with false identity cards

adjective

Intended or used to deceive or mystify, or to create an illusion.

Usage examples:

A trick question

verb

Be successful or victorious in (a contest or conflict).

Usage examples:

United won four games in a row

noun

A successful result in a contest, conflict, bet, or other endeavour; a victory.

Usage examples:

A 3–0 win over birmingham

verb

To defeat a competitor, or to achieve first position or get a prize in a competition

Usage examples:

[ i ] did they win last night?, [ t ] our team won the game!

verb

Move or cause to move unsteadily from side to side.

Usage examples:

The table wobbles where the leg is too short

noun

An unsteady movement from side to side.

Usage examples:

The handlebars developed a wobble

verb

To shake or move from side to side in a way that shows a lack of balance, or to cause something to do this

Usage examples:

[ i ] the table wobbles because its legs are uneven.