caught Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. verb discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
   catch.
   
   • She caught her son eating candy
   • She was caught shoplifting
2. verb perceive with the senses quickly, suddenly, or momentarily
   catch; pick up.
   
   • I caught the aroma of coffee
   • He caught the allusion in her glance
   • ears open to catch every sound
   • The dog picked up the scent
   • Catch a glimpse
3. verb reach with a blow or hit in a particular spot
   catch; get.
   
   • the rock caught her in the back of the head
   • The blow got him in the back
   • The punch caught him in the stomach
4. verb take hold of so as to seize or restrain or stop the motion of
   catch; grab; take hold of.
   
   • Catch the ball!
   • Grab the elevator door!
5. verb succeed in catching or seizing, especially after a chase
   catch; capture; get.
   
   • We finally got the suspect
   • Did you catch the thief?
6. verb to hook or entangle
   catch; hitch.
   
   • One foot caught in the stirrup
7. verb attract and fix
   catch; arrest; get.
   
   • His look caught her
   • She caught his eye
   • Catch the attention of the waiter
8. verb capture as if by hunting, snaring, or trapping
   catch; capture.
   
   • I caught a rabbit in the trap today
9. verb reach in time
   catch.
   
   • I have to catch a train at 7 o'clock
10. verb get or regain something necessary, usually quickly or briefly
    catch.
    
    • Catch some sleep
    • catch one's breath
11. verb catch up with and possibly overtake
    catch; catch up with; overtake.
    
    • The Rolls Royce caught us near the exit ramp
12. verb be struck or affected by
    catch.
    
    • catch fire
    • catch the mood
13. verb check oneself during an action
    catch.
    
    • She managed to catch herself before telling her boss what was on her mind
14. verb hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
    catch; overhear; take in.
    
    • We overheard the conversation at the next table
15. verb see or watch
    catch; see; watch; take in; view.
    
    • view a show on television
    • This program will be seen all over the world
    • view an exhibition
    • Catch a show on Broadway
    • see a movie
16. verb cause to become accidentally or suddenly caught, ensnared, or entangled
    catch.
    
    • I caught the hem of my dress in the brambles
17. verb detect a blunder or misstep
    catch; trip up.
    
    • The reporter tripped up the senator
18. verb grasp with the mind or develop an understanding of
    catch; get.
    
    • did you catch that allusion?
    • We caught something of his theory in the lecture
    • don't catch your meaning
    • did you get it?
    • She didn't get the joke
    • I just don't get him
19. verb contract
    catch.
    
    • did you catch a cold?
20. verb start burning
    catch.
    
    • The fire caught
21. verb perceive by hearing
    catch; get.
    
    • I didn't catch your name
    • She didn't get his name when they met the first time
22. verb suffer from the receipt of
    catch; get.
    
    • She will catch hell for this behavior!
23. verb attract; cause to be enamored
    capture; entrance; bewitch; fascinate; enamour; trance; captivate; beguile; charm; catch; becharm; enchant; enamor.
    
    • She captured all the men's hearts
24. verb apprehend and reproduce accurately
    catch; get.
    
    • She really caught the spirit of the place in her drawings
    • She got the mood just right in her photographs
25. verb take in and retain
    catch.
    
    • We have a big barrel to catch the rainwater
26. verb spread or be communicated
    catch.
    
    • The fashion did not catch
27. verb be the catcher
    catch.
    
    • Who is catching?
28. verb become aware of
    catch.
    
    • he caught her staring out the window
29. verb delay or hold up; prevent from proceeding on schedule or as planned
    catch.
    
    • I was caught in traffic and missed the meeting

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