catch

Everyday

1. To catch is to take and hold something that moves, like a ball or a fish. tree →
2. To catch is to get on a bus or train in time. tree →
3. To catch an illness is to get it from someone. tree →
4. To catch is to see or find someone doing something: «I caught him eating sweets». tree →
5. A catch is a hidden problem, or the fish caught. tree →
6. To catch a word or a sound means to hear or understand it, especially when it is quick or quiet. tree →

In the lessons

things caught are added; also catching up in a race; phrases «catch up», «catch a cold», «catch a bus», «catch your breath», «catch fire», «what's the catch?»

Examples

• He caught 5 fish. tree →
• She catches 3 balls out of 10. tree →
• They caught 12 fish and let 4 go. tree →
• How long until the bus catches up? tree →
• Catch the ball with both hands! tree →
• We ran to catch the bus. tree →
• Wash your hands so you don't catch a cold. tree →
• Paper can catch fire easily. tree →
• The offer was free, but there was a catch. tree →
• Let me catch my breath after running. tree →
• Anon he caught the word Peter. tree →

Note

Catching adds to what is held. Trap: «catch up» is a distance or speed comparison: time = gap ÷ difference of speeds. Past form «caught», not «catched». «Out of 10» names a whole.

In Jewish tradition

things caught are added; also catching up in a race; phrases «catch up», «catch a cold», «catch a bus», «catch your breath», «catch fire», «what's the catch?»

Examples

• And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns. (Torah GEN.22.13, JPS 1917) tree →
• that she caught him by his garment, saying: 'Lie with me.' And he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out. (Torah GEN.39.12, JPS 1917) tree →
• If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the shocks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field are consumed; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution. (Torah EXO.22.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• For the LORD will be thy confidence, and will keep thy foot from being caught. (Writings PRO.3.26, JPS 1917) tree →
• So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face she said unto him: (Writings PRO.7.13, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Joab fled unto the Tent of the LORD, and caught hold on the horns of the altar. (Prophets 1KI.2.28, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Catching adds to what is held. Trap: «catch up» is a distance or speed comparison: time = gap ÷ difference of speeds. Past form «caught», not «catched». «Out of 10» names a whole.