| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
| catch as catch can |
no order, get what you can
|
The Clearance Sale was catch as catch can - each one for himself.
|
| catch hell [B] |
get a scolding or lecture, get it, get shit [B]
|
"Did you catch hell for cheating?" "Yes. The teacher lectured me and gave me zero on the exam."
|
| catch it |
get a scolding or lecture, catch hell [B]
|
Did you catch it for coming in late? Was your mom mad?
|
| catch me by surprise |
surprise me, not warn me
|
The snowstorm in May caught us by surprise. We didn't expect it.
|
| catch me doing that |
see me doing that, find me doing that
|
You won't catch me skydiving. It's too dangerous.
|
| catch on |
learn how to do, learn the ropes
|
We need trainees who catch on quickly - people who learn fast.
|
| catch on |
get work, get a job, hire on
|
Maybe you can catch on with a survey crew for the summer.
|
| catch phrase |
idiom, popular phrase, buzzword
|
There's a catch phrase for Newfoundland: The Rock.
|
| catch some rays |
have a sun bath, get a sun tan, bag some rays
|
When we get to Hawaii, you can catch some rays. It's sunny there.
|
| catch some z's |
sleep, get some rest, crash
|
Do you mind if I catch some z's on your couch? I'm sleepy.
|