catch

catch — verb

1. to use your hands to seize and hold an object while it travels through the air t

1.動詞及物 / 不及物A1
釋義

to use your hands to seize and hold an object while it travels through the air toward you, for instance a ball someone has thrown

例句

Quan caught the ball with one hand and threw it back to his friend.

catch + [ball / thrown object]

The little girl ran across the yard trying to catch the falling leaves.

同義詞
  • grab

    more sudden and less controlled; you grab at something rather than catching it neatly

  • snatch

    quick and forceful, often implying taking something away from someone

反義詞
  • drop

    let something fall from your hands

  • miss

    fail to catch something that was thrown or falling

文法句型

catch + [moving object]

intransitive: [subject] + catch

用法筆記

This sense can be used without an object in sports contexts: 'The new player can really catch.'

常見錯誤

She catched the ball.
She caught the ball.
💡'catch' is an irregular verb; the past form is 'caught', not 'catched'.

2. to go after someone or something that is escaping and take hold of them before t

2.動詞及物B1
釋義

to go after someone or something that is escaping and take hold of them before they can break free

例句

The police caught the thief after a short chase through the park.

catch + [escaped person] after chase

The dog ran out of the yard, but Samir caught him before the road.

同義詞
  • capture

    more formal and often implies a planned operation rather than a spontaneous chase

  • trap

    using a device or trick to catch something, not a chase

反義詞
  • release

    to set free on purpose

  • escape

    what the person or animal does when they are not caught

文法句型

catch + [person/animal escaping]

用法筆記

Can be used for both people escaping from the law and animals trying to get free. In fishing, 'catch' refers to the amount of fish you have taken from the water.

常見錯誤

The police catched the robber.
The police caught the robber.
💡'catch' always becomes 'caught' in past tense, never 'catched'.

3. to see or find someone in the middle of doing something they should not be doing

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

to see or find someone in the middle of doing something they should not be doing, especially something secret or against the rules

例句

The teacher caught two students copying answers from each other during the test.

catch + person + [verb]-ing for wrongdoing

Naoko caught her neighbour climbing over the fence late at night.

同義詞
  • discover

    more neutral; you can discover anything, not just wrongdoing

  • find out

    more general; can be about discovering facts, not necessarily catching someone in the act

反義詞
  • miss

    fail to see or notice the wrongdoing

  • overlook

    intentionally or accidentally not notice

文法句型

catch + [person] + [verb]-ing

用法筆記

Always followed by a person and then the -ing form of a verb describing the wrong action. The -ing form cannot be replaced with a to-infinitive or base verb.

常見錯誤

I caught him to steal.
I caught him stealing.
💡after 'catch' meaning discover, use the -ing form of the verb, not the to-infinitive.

4. to get and keep someone's attention or interest so that they notice and focus on

4.動詞及物B2
釋義

to get and keep someone's attention or interest so that they notice and focus on something

例句

A bright red dress in the shop window caught Naoko's attention as she walked past.

catch [someone's] attention

The loud music from the street caught everyone's ear during the afternoon meeting.

同義詞
  • attract

    more general; works with a wider range of objects (crowds, investments, criticism)

  • draw

    slightly more literary; 'draw someone's gaze' or 'draw attention'

反義詞
  • ignore

    deliberately not pay attention

  • escape

    when something does not get noticed: 'The mistake escaped her attention'

文法句型

catch + [someone's] attention/eye/interest

用法筆記

The subject of the sentence is always the thing that attracts, not the person. Commonly paired with nouns like 'attention', 'eye', 'interest', 'fancy', or 'ear'. The collocation 'catch someone's eye' can also mean to make eye contact deliberately.

常見錯誤

I catched her attention.
I caught her attention.' or 'The song caught her attention.
💡'caught' is the past form.

5. to find someone at a moment when they do not have something they need or expect,

5.動詞及物
釋義

to find someone at a moment when they do not have something they need or expect, leaving them unable to respond well

例句

Sorry, I cannot help right now — you have caught me at a busy moment.

catch someone at a [adjective] moment

Eve caught Quan without his wallet, so she kindly paid for both their lunches.

catch someone without [needed item]

同義詞
  • surprise

    more neutral; can be good or bad, while 'catch without' usually implies a problem

  • take by surprise

    similar meaning but slightly more formal

反義詞

文法句型

catch + [person] + without + [noun]

catch + [person] + unprepared/off-guard

用法筆記

Often in the pattern 'catch someone without [noun]' or 'catch someone + adjective (unprepared, off-guard, napping)'. The passive form 'be caught without' is very common.

6. used to say strongly that someone will never do a particular thing because they

6.動詞
釋義

used to say strongly that someone will never do a particular thing because they dislike it, disagree with it, or find it unacceptable

例句

You will not catch me eating raw fish — I cannot stand the taste of it.

won't catch me + [verb]-ing — refusal

You will not catch Ignacio going bungee jumping; he is afraid of heights.

同義詞
  • refuse

    direct and straightforward, but less colourful than the idiom

  • wouldn't dream of

    similar strength but slightly more formal

反義詞
  • be happy to

    willing acceptance: 'I'd be happy to try it'

文法句型

won't catch + [person] + [verb]-ing

用法筆記

Always in the fixed expression 'you won't catch [someone] doing [something]'. The phrase is informal and expresses a strong personal position. The subject is usually 'you' as a general reference, not addressing a specific person.

常見錯誤

You won't catch me to eat that.
You won't catch me eating that.
💡use the -ing form after 'catch' in this expression, not the to-infinitive.

7. to get on an airplane, train, bus, or other form of public transport in order to

7.動詞及物A1
釋義

to get on an airplane, train, bus, or other form of public transport in order to travel somewhere

例句

Bilal caught the 7:15 train to commute into the city centre every morning.

catch + [time] + [mode of transport] for journeys

Élise caught a direct flight from Paris to Tokyo for her cousin's wedding.

同義詞
  • take

    more general — 'take the bus' works for any journey; 'catch' emphasises being on time for a scheduled departure

  • board

    more formal; used mainly for planes and ships

反義詞
  • miss

    to fail to get on a train, bus, or plane because you arrived too late

文法句型

catch + [time] + [mode of transport]

catch + [mode of transport] + to [destination]

用法筆記

Object is always a scheduled form of public transport (train, bus, plane, ferry) — not a private vehicle.

常見錯誤

I caught my car to work this morning.
I caught the bus to work this morning.
💡'catch' is only used with public transport, not private vehicles.

8. to arrive early enough to see an event, watch a programme, or speak to someone b

8.動詞及物B1
釋義

to arrive early enough to see an event, watch a programme, or speak to someone before it is too late

例句

Feng arrived just before nine and caught the beginning of the concert.

catch + [beginning/start] + of [event]

The night-shift nurse rushed home to catch the evening weather forecast.

同義詞
  • make

    informal — 'make the show' means the same; 'catch' is slightly more neutral

反義詞
  • miss

    to fail to see or reach an event or person because you arrived late

文法句型

catch + [event/tv programme]

in time to catch + [event]

用法筆記

Unlike sense 7, the object here is an event or a person, not a vehicle. Frequently appears with 'in time to [catch]' or 'just in time to [catch]'.

常見錯誤

I caught the TV in time.
I caught the programme in time.
💡the object should be the event or programme, not the device.

9. to get sick from a germ, virus, or other infectious agent that enters your body

9.動詞及物A2
釋義

to get sick from a germ, virus, or other infectious agent that enters your body

例句

Tamar caught a bad cold after walking home through the heavy rain.

catch + a cold / flu / illness

The children in the class caught the flu during the winter term.

同義詞
  • contract

    more formal; used mostly in medical or official writing

  • pick up

    informal; 'I picked up a bug somewhere'

  • come down with

    informal phrasal verb; focuses on the onset of symptoms

文法句型

catch + [illness]

catch + [illness] + from [person/place]

用法筆記

Frequently used with common illnesses (a cold, flu, chickenpox). More formal alternatives like 'contract' or 'become infected with' are used in medical contexts.

常見錯誤

I catched a cold.
I caught a cold.
💡'catch' is irregular: catch → caught → caught.

10. to pick up a sound or someone's words with your ears and know what they mean, pa

10.動詞及物B1
釋義

to pick up a sound or someone's words with your ears and know what they mean, particularly when it is hard to hear clearly

例句

Brian caught a few words of the conversation before the door slammed shut.

catch + words/details + of [conversation/speech]

Amelia tried to catch the main points of the news while cooking in the kitchen.

同義詞
  • hear

    neutral and general; 'catch' adds the idea of effort or briefness

  • make out

    phrasal verb; 'I couldn't make out what he said' — similar difficulty nuance

文法句型

catch + [words/details/name] + of [speech/conversation]

can/could catch + [what is said]

didn't quite catch + [what was said]

用法筆記

Very common in the negative or with modifiers like 'barely', 'hardly', 'only just' — it implies effort or difficulty in hearing. Also used for quick visual perception (sense 12), but this sense focuses on auditory understanding.

常見錯誤

I caught what you said' (when hearing was easy).
I heard what you said
💡'catch' implies some effort or difficulty in hearing.

11. to visit a cinema, theatre, or performance space so that you can see a film, pla

11.動詞及物B1
釋義

to visit a cinema, theatre, or performance space so that you can see a film, play, concert, or similar show

例句

Andrés and his classmates caught a late-night movie at the old cinema downtown.

catch + a movie/film/play at [venue]

The theatre group caught a wonderful performance of the ballet last spring.

同義詞
  • see

    neutral and more common; 'catch' adds a casual, spontaneous feel

  • watch

    focuses on the act of watching; 'catch' emphasises attending the event

  • attend

    more formal; 'attend a concert'

文法句型

catch + [film/play/performance/show]

catch + [event] + at [venue]

用法筆記

Slightly informal compared to 'see' or 'attend'. Used especially in conversational English: 'Let's catch a movie tonight.'

常見錯誤

I caught a book at the library.
I caught a film at the cinema.
💡'catch' for watching only applies to performances and screenings, not reading material.

12. to see someone or something for only a moment, often without having time to look

12.動詞及物B2
釋義

to see someone or something for only a moment, often without having time to look closely

例句

Marta caught a glimpse of the famous actor stepping into the waiting car.

catch a glimpse of [person/thing] — brief sighting

Ada caught sight of a deer running through the woods near the hiking trail.

catch sight of [person/animal/thing] — alternative pattern

同義詞
  • glimpse

    as a verb, more formal; 'glimpse' and 'catch a glimpse of' are similar in meaning

  • spot

    suggests noticing something among other things; 'I spotted a rare bird'

文法句型

catch a glimpse of + [person/thing]

catch sight of + [person/thing]

用法筆記

Almost always used with the noun phrases 'a glimpse of', 'sight of', or 'a view of' — it does not directly take a person or thing as object. Compare: 'I caught a glimpse of him' ✅ vs 'I caught him' ❌ (in this sense).

常見錯誤

I caught the celebrity at the airport' (when meaning briefly saw).
I caught a glimpse of the celebrity at the airport.
💡use 'catch a glimpse of' or 'catch sight of' for brief sightings.

13. to get and stay fixed to a surface or object without being able to move freely,

13.動詞及物 / 不及物C2
釋義

to get and stay fixed to a surface or object without being able to move freely, or to cause something to become fixed in this way — for example, a zipper catching on a jacket lining, or a car door catching on a post.

例句

Otis's jacket zipper caught on the edge of the table as he walked past.

intransitive: catch + on [surface]

The boat's rope caught around a rock under the water and held them in place.

同義詞
  • snag

    implies tearing or damaging the fabric while catching it

  • hook

    suggests being held by a curved object like a hook or branch

  • wedge

    describes being stuck tightly in a narrow space

反義詞
  • release

    to free something that was stuck

文法句型

catch + on/in/around [something]

catch + object + on/in [something]

用法筆記

Object of the preposition is usually a hard surface, a protruding object, or a narrow space (on a nail, in a crack, around a rock).

14. to come into sudden contact with something or someone, usually without meaning t

14.動詞及物B2
釋義

to come into sudden contact with something or someone, usually without meaning to — for example, a swing catching someone on the chin, or a bag catching a table corner.

例句

A thick branch caught Samir on the shoulder as he walked through the garden.

transitive: catch + body part + on [object]

Darius's elbow caught the glass vase and sent it crashing to the floor.

同義詞
  • strike

    more formal and can be intentional; 'catch' is always accidental

  • hit

    more general; 'catch' specifically suggests an unwanted glancing contact

文法句型

catch + [part of body] + on [something]

catch + [object] + and + [verb]

用法筆記

Unlike 'hit', which can be intentional or unintentional, 'catch' in this sense is always accidental. Subject is often a body part or an object being swung or moved.

常見錯誤

He intentionally caught the ball with his bat.
He intentionally hit the ball with his bat.
💡'catch' in this sense means accidentally hitting something, not striking a ball on purpose.

15. to end up in a difficult or unpleasant situation even though you did not plan or

15.動詞C2
釋義

to end up in a difficult or unpleasant situation even though you did not plan or wish to — for example, being caught in a storm, or caught up in an argument between friends.

例句

The children were caught in a sudden storm and arrived home soaking wet.

passive: be caught in [weather/situation]

Caio found himself caught up in a heated debate about the new school rules.

同義詞
反義詞
  • avoid

    to stay away from a situation

文法句型

be caught + in [situation]

be caught + up in [event/argument]

be caught + between [two forces]

用法筆記

Almost always used in the passive voice ('be/get caught'). The active form ('The storm caught the children') is occasionally possible but much less common. Distinguish from sense 3 (DISCOVER) where 'catch' means 'find someone doing wrong' — this sense is about being trapped in a situation, not being discovered.

常見錯誤

I caught in the rain yesterday.
I was caught in the rain yesterday.
💡This sense requires the passive form 'be caught' or 'get caught'.

16. to briefly pause from breathing because of a strong emotion such as fear or surp

16.動詞B1
釋義

to briefly pause from breathing because of a strong emotion such as fear or surprise; or to return to a normal breathing speed after exercising — used in the phrase 'catch one's breath'.

例句

Mateo stopped at the top of the stairs to catch his breath.

phrase: catch one's breath (after exercise)

Tamás caught his breath in surprise when he saw the messy kitchen.

phrase: catch one's breath (from shock)

同義詞
  • pause for breath

    less idiomatic, more literal; 'catch one's breath' is the standard fixed expression

文法句型

catch + possessive + breath

用法筆記

Commonly used in two distinct contexts: (a) recovery after exercise — 'stop to catch your breath'; (b) sudden intake of air from emotion — 'catch your breath in surprise'. Both use the same fixed phrase 'catch + possessive + breath' and the possessive always agrees with the subject.

常見錯誤

She catched her breath after running.
She caught her breath after running.
💡The past tense is 'caught', not 'catched'.

17. to have your skin change colour to red or brown as a result of being outdoors in

17.動詞B2
釋義

to have your skin change colour to red or brown as a result of being outdoors in strong sunlight — used especially in British English in the phrase 'catch the sun'.

例句

Tamás caught the sun during his week-long holiday on the Greek coast.

idiom: catch the sun (= get sunburnt)

Aaron's ears caught the sun and turned bright red despite the sunscreen.

同義詞
  • get sunburnt

    more international and literal; 'catch the sun' is a British idiom

  • get a tan

    implies a positive, desirable outcome; 'catch the sun' can be neutral or negative

文法句型

catch + the + sun

用法筆記

Primarily British English. Speakers of American English would typically say 'got sunburnt' or 'got a tan' instead. The phrase always uses the definite article 'the sun', never a possessive ('my sun').

18. to be hit by a source of light in a way that makes the surface appear bright, sh

18.動詞B2
釋義

to be hit by a source of light in a way that makes the surface appear bright, shiny, or sparkly — used in the phrase 'catch the light'.

例句

The diamond on Sora's ring caught the light and sparkled across the restaurant.

idiom: catch the light (= shine when lit)

The old stained-glass window caught the afternoon sun and filled the room with colour.

同義詞
  • glint in the light

    describes a brief flash; 'catch the light' can describe a longer shine

  • gleam

    a verb meaning to shine softly; 'catch the light' emphasises the light source as the trigger

文法句型

catch + the + light / sun / sun's rays

用法筆記

The subject is always an object with a reflective or polished surface. The phrase can be used with 'light', 'sun', 'sunlight', 'sun's rays', or 'moonlight'. Common in descriptive and literary writing.

19. to start burning, usually because a flame or spark touches something

19.動詞不及物B1
釋義

to start burning, usually because a flame or spark touches something

例句

Soraya's scarf caught fire when she leaned too close to the candle.

collocation: catch fire

The dry leaves in the garden caught fire after lightning struck the tree.

同義詞
  • ignite

    more formal and technical; used for deliberate or chemical ignition

  • burst into flames

    more dramatic; describes sudden, intense burning

反義詞
  • go out

    stop burning; opposite process

  • extinguish

    formal; to put out a fire deliberately

文法句型

catch fire

用法筆記

Almost always used in the fixed phrase "catch fire." The subject is the object that burns, not the fire itself.

常見錯誤

The newspaper caught quickly.' (when meaning it started burning)
The newspaper caught fire quickly.
💡For sense 19, 'catch' alone is unusual; use 'catch fire' instead.

20. for wood, coal, or other fuel that is used in a fire to start burning

20.動詞不及物B1
釋義

for wood, coal, or other fuel that is used in a fire to start burning

例句

The damp firewood took a long time to catch, but it burned brightly once it started.

intransitive: the fuel catches

Ari struck a match and held it to the kindling until it caught.

同義詞
  • ignite

    more formal; often used for deliberate lighting

  • take light

    less common; describes the moment a fire begins to burn steadily

反義詞
  • go out

    stop burning; opposite process

文法句型

catch (without 'fire')

用法筆記

Used without "fire" — the subject is the fuel that begins to burn. Often used with adverbs such as "quickly" or "easily", or after "refuse to" and "fail to."

常見錯誤

The wood caught fire.' (for fuel in a fireplace)
The wood caught.
💡For fuel that is meant to burn, 'catch' alone is more natural than 'catch fire.'

21. to show or copy something exactly in a picture, story, or performance, so that t

21.動詞及物B2
釋義

to show or copy something exactly in a picture, story, or performance, so that the result feels true to the original

例句

Christopher's painting of his grandmother catches the warmth in her eyes.

pattern: catch + abstract quality (warmth, mood, spirit)

The novel catches the atmosphere of 1920s Paris with vivid description.

同義詞
  • capture

    interchangeable with 'catch' in this sense; equally common in art and photography

  • depict

    more formal and deliberate; focuses on the act of showing rather than accuracy

反義詞
  • miss

    fail to show or represent something accurately

文法句型

catch something

用法筆記

Common in reviews of art, literature, photography, and performances. The object is usually an abstract quality such as a mood, atmosphere, expression, gesture, or likeness.

catch — noun