n. 25B6; verb
he caught the ball : SEIZE, grab, snatch, seize/grab/take hold of, grasp, grip, clutch, clench; receive, get, intercept.
we've caught the thief : CAPTURE, seize; apprehend, arrest, take prisoner/captive, take into custody; trap, snare, ensnare; net, hook, land; informal nab, collar, run in, bust; Brit. informal nick.
her heel caught in a hole : BECOME TRAPPED, become entangled, snag.
she caught the 7.45 bus : BE IN TIME FOR, make, get; board, get on, step aboard.
they were caught siphoning petrol : DISCOVER, find, come upon/across, stumble on, chance on; surprise, catch red-handed, catch in the act.
it caught his imagination : ENGAGE, capture, attract, draw, grab, grip, seize; hold, absorb, engross.
she caught a trace of aftershave : PERCEIVE, notice, observe, discern, detect, note, make out; Brit. informal clock.
I couldn't catch what she was saying : HEAR, perceive, discern, make out; understand, comprehend, grasp, apprehend; informal get, get the drift of, figure out; Brit. informal twig, suss (out).
it caught the flavour of the sixties : EVOKE, conjure up, call to mind, recall, encapsulate, capture.
the blow caught her on the side of her face : HIT, strike, slap, smack, bang.
he caught malaria : BECOME INFECTED WITH, contract, get, be taken ill with, develop, come down with, be struck down with; Brit. go down with; informal take ill with; N. Amer. informal take sick with.
the kindling wouldn't catch : IGNITE, start burning, catch fire, kindle.
the generator caught immediately : START (RUNNING), fire, begin working.
drop, release, miss.
25B6; noun
he inspected the catch : HAUL, net, bag, yield.
(informal) Giles is a good catch : ELIGIBLE MAN/WOMAN, marriage prospect.
he slipped the catch : LATCH, lock, fastener, clasp, hasp.
he is always looking for the catch : SNAG, disadvantage, drawback, stumbling block, hitch, fly in the ointment, pitfall, complication, problem, hiccup, difficulty; trap, trick, snare; informal con.
a catch in her voice : TREMOR, unevenness, shake, quiver, wobble.
25A0; catch it (informal) BE REPRIMANDED, be scolded, be rebuked, be taken to task, be chastised, get into trouble, be hauled over the coals; informal be told off, be for the high jump, be in hot water, get a dressing-down, get an earful, get a roasting, get a rap over the knuckles, get a slap on the wrist; Brit. informal be for it; formal be castigated.
25A0; catch on
radio soon caught on : BECOME POPULAR/FASHIONABLE, take off, boom, flourish, thrive.
I caught on fast : UNDERSTAND, comprehend, learn, see the light; informal cotton on, latch on, get the picture/message, get wise.
25A0; catch (someone) up DRAW LEVEL (WITH), reach; gain on.