{
    "term": "catch",
    "partOfSpeech": "verb",
    "ox3000": true,
    "cefr": "a2",
    "verbForms": {
        "presentSimple": {
            "iYouWeThey": "catch",
            "heSheIt": "catches"
        },
        "pastSimple": "caught",
        "pastParticiple": "caught",
        "ingForm": "catching"
    },
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "to stop and hold a moving object or person, especially in your hands",
            "sensetop": "catch (something/somebody)",
            "cefr": "a2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "She managed to catch the keys as they fell."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I caught him when he tripped."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The dog caught the stick in its mouth."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I threw the bag in the air and she caught it."
                },
                {
                    "text": "‘Throw me over that towel, will you?’ ‘OK. Catch!’"
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Sports: ball and racket sports"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "to hold a liquid when it falls",
            "sensetop": "catch something",
            "cefr": "a2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The roof was leaking and I had to use a bucket to catch the drips."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 3,
            "definition": "to take hold of somebody/something",
            "sensetop": "catch somebody/something (+ adv./prep.)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "He **caught hold of** her arm as she tried to push past him."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He caught her up in his arms."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She caught the bar with both hands as she fell."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 4,
            "definition": "to be in time for a bus, train, plane, etc. and get on it",
            "sensetop": "catch something",
            "cefr": "a2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "to **catch a bus/train/flight**"
                },
                {
                    "text": "We caught the 12.15 from Oxford."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I must go—I have a train to catch."
                },
                {
                    "text": "After a while they left to catch their bus."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He was still hoping to catch the 8.30 ferry."
                },
                {
                    "text": "If you want to catch that bus, you'd better hurry!"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Then she had to leave to catch her plane."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He was thinking of catching a plane home."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Transport by bus and train", "Transport by air"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 5,
            "definition": "to capture a person or an animal that tries or would try to escape",
            "sensetop": "catch somebody/something",
            "cefr": "a2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The murderer was never caught."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Our cat is hopeless at catching mice."
                },
                {
                    "text": "How many **fish did you catch**?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The police say they are doing all they can to catch the culprits."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Crime and punishment"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 6,
            "definition": "to get an illness",
            "sensetop": "catch somethingcatch something from somebody",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "It is unusual to catch measles more than once.",
                    "contextForm": "catch something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "I think I must have caught this cold from you.",
                    "contextForm": "catch something from somebody"
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Health problems"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 7,
            "definition": "if something catches your attention, etc., you notice it and feel interested in it",
            "sensetop": "catch somebody’s attention, imagination, interest, etc.",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "A sign on the wall **caught my attention**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Over the years, the mystery has caught the popular imagination."
                },
                {
                    "text": "There was one story in particular that caught her interest."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 8,
            "definition": "to notice something only for a moment",
            "sensetop": "catch something",
            "cefr": "b2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "She **caught sight** of a car in the distance."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He **caught a glimpse** of himself in the mirror."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I caught a look of surprise on her face."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He caught a whiff of her perfume."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 9,
            "definition": "to hear or understand something",
            "sensetop": "catch something",
            "cefr": "b2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Sorry, I didn't quite catch what you said."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 10,
            "definition": "to find or discover somebody doing something, especially something wrong",
            "sensetop": "catch somebody doing somethingcatch yourself doing somethingcatch somebody + adv./prep.",
            "cefr": "b2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I caught her lying to me again.",
                    "contextForm": "catch somebody doing something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "**You wouldn't catch me** working *(= I would never work)* on a Sunday!"
                },
                {
                    "text": "She caught herself wondering whether she had made a mistake.",
                    "contextForm": "catch yourself doing something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "He was caught with bomb-making equipment in his home.",
                    "contextForm": "catch somebody + adv./prep."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Mark walked in and **caught them at it** *(= in the act of doing something wrong)*."
                },
                {
                    "text": "thieves **caught in the act**"
                },
                {
                    "text": "You've caught me at a bad time *(= at a time when I am busy)*."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 11,
            "definition": "to be in time to do something, talk to somebody, etc.",
            "sensetop": "catch somebody/something",
            "labels": "(British English)(British English, informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I caught him just as he was leaving the building."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I was hoping to catch you at home *(= to see you at home when you were there)*."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The illness can be treated provided it's caught *(= discovered)* early enough."
                },
                {
                    "text": "to **catch the post** *(= post letters before the box is emptied)*"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Bye for now! I'll **catch you later** *(= speak to you again later)*."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 12,
            "definition": "to see or hear something; to attend something",
            "sensetop": "catch something",
            "labels": "(informal, especially North American English)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Let's eat now and maybe we could catch a movie later."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Did you catch that show on the radio?"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 13,
            "definition": "to happen unexpectedly and put somebody in a difficult situation",
            "sensetop": "catch somebody",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "His arrival **caught** me **by surprise**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She **got caught in** a thunderstorm."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 14,
            "definition": "to become stuck in or on something; to make something become stuck",
            "sensetop": "catch (in/on something)catch something (in/on something)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Her dress caught on a nail.",
                    "contextForm": "catch (in/on something)"
                },
                {
                    "text": "He caught his thumb in the door.",
                    "contextForm": "catch something (in/on something)"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 15,
            "definition": "to hit somebody/something",
            "sensetop": "catch somebody/something + adv./prep.catch somebody a blow + adv./prep.",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The stone caught him on the side of the head.",
                    "contextForm": "catch somebody/something + adv./prep."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She caught him a blow on the chin.",
                    "contextForm": "catch somebody a blow + adv./prep."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 16,
            "definition": "to begin to burn",
            "sensetop": "catch (fire)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The wooden rafters **caught fire**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "These logs are wet: they won't catch."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 17,
            "definition": "if something catches the light or the light catches it, the light shines on it and makes it shine too",
            "sensetop": "catch something",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The knife gleamed as it **caught the light**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "A colourful glow appears as the light catches the glass."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 18,
            "definition": "if you catch the sun, you become red or brown because of spending time in the sun",
            "sensetop": "catch the sun",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 19,
            "definition": "to show or describe something accurately",
            "sensetop": "catch something",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The artist has caught her smile perfectly."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Cameras caught Jessica headed to a photo shoot downtown."
                }
            ],
            "synonyms": "capture"
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 20,
            "definition": "to make a player unable to continue batting by catching the ball they have hit before it touches the ground",
            "sensetop": "catch somebody",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to be involved in an argument or fight between two other people or groups",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "When they quarrel, I am often caught in the middle."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "to suddenly feel a strong need to go to the toilet",
            "labels": "(British English, informal)",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "to be put at a disadvantage",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to be in a difficult situation when any action you take will have bad results",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "in a situation where you have to choose between two things, both of which are unpleasant",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "to stop breathing for a moment because of fear, shock, etc.",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "When he said he had resigned, I caught my breath in surprise."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "to start to be able to breathe normally again after running or doing exercise that makes you tired",
            "labels": "British English",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "to become ill with a cold",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "to have problems",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The film caught a cold over the outstanding debt."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to catch a very bad cold",
            "labels": "(old-fashioned, informal)",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to attract somebody’s attention",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Can you catch the waiter's eye?"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to attract or please somebody",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "She looked through the hotel advertisements until one of them caught her fancy."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to be punished or spoken to angrily about something",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "If your dad finds out you'll really catch it!"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to get an advantage over somebody by doing something when they are not expecting it and not ready for it",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to surprise somebody by doing something when they are not expecting it and not ready for it",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to upset somebody by reminding them of something they are particularly sensitive about",
            "labels": "(British English)",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to catch somebody in the act of doing something wrong or committing a crime",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to arrive or do something when somebody is not expecting it and not ready, especially when they are in an embarrassing situation",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "the person who takes the opportunity to do something before other people will have an advantage over them",
            "labels": "(saying)",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "to make somebody unsteady and in danger of falling",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I was thrown off balance by the sudden gust of wind."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The sudden movement threw him off balance."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "to make somebody surprised and no longer calm",
            "cefr": "c2",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The senator was clearly caught off balance by the unexpected question."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Feelings"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "(to put somebody) at a disadvantage or in difficulty",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Advances in drone technology have caught lawmakers on the back foot."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The side that’s on the back foot, struggling to defend, will usually give away more penalties."
                },
                {
                    "text": "We'd like to put the fossil fuel industry on the back foot."
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/kætʃ/",
                "audio": "ca/catch/catch__gb_2.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈkætʃɪz/",
                "audio": "ca/catch/catches__gb_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/kɔːt/",
                "audio": "co/catch/court__gb_2.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈkætʃɪŋ/",
                "audio": "ca/catch/catching__gb_3.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/kætʃ//ketʃ/",
                "audio": "ca/catch/catch__us_2.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈkætʃɪz//ˈketʃɪz/",
                "audio": "ca/catch/catches__us_2.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/kɔːt/",
                "audio": "ca/catch/caught__us_2.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈkætʃɪŋ//ˈketʃɪŋ/",
                "audio": "ca/catch/catching__us_4.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": "Middle English (also in the sense ‘chase’): from Anglo-Norman French and Old Northern French cachier, variant of Old French chacier, based on Latin captare ‘try to catch’, from capere ‘take’."
}