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[cat] See: COPY CAT, CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT, FRAIDY-CAT or FRAID-CAT or SCAREDY CAT OY SCARED-CAT, HOLY CATS, LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG, LOOK LIKE THE CAT THAT ATE THE CANARY, PLAY CAT AND MOUSE WITH, RAIN CATS AND DOGS.

[catch] See: EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE WORM, FAIR CATCH, SHOESTRING CATCH.

[catch-as-catch-can(1)]{adv. phr.} In a free manner; in any way possible; in the best way you can. •/On moving day everything is packed and we eat meals catch-as-catch-can./

[catch-as-catch-can(2)]{adj. phr.} Using any means or method; unplanned; free. •/Rip van Winkle seems to have led a catch-as-catch-can life./ •/Politics is rather a catch-as-catch-can business./ Compare: HIT-OR-MISS.

[catch at]{v.} 1. To try to catch suddenly; grab for. •/The boy on the merry-go-round caught at the brass ring, but did not get it./ 2. To seize quickly; accept mentally or physically. •/The hungry man caught at the sandwich and began to eat./ •/Joe caught at Bill’s offer to help./

[catch at a straw] See: GRASP AT STRAWS.

[catch cold]{v. phr.} 1. or [take cold] To get a common cold-weather sickness that causes a running nose, sneezing, and sometimes sore throat and fever or other symptoms. •/Don’t get your feet wet or you’ll catch cold./ 2. {informal} To catch unprepared or not ready for a question or unexpected happening. •/I had not studied my lesson carefully, and the teacher’s question caught me cold./ •/The opposing team was big and sure of winning, and they were caught cold by the fast, hard playing of our smaller players./

[catch (someone) dead]{v. phr.}, {informal} To see or hear (someone) in an embarrassing act or place at any time. Used in the negative usually in the passive. •/You won’t catch Bill dead taking his sister to the movies./ •/John wouldn’t be caught dead in the necktie he got for Christmas./

[catch fire]{v. phr.} 1. To begin to burn. •/When he dropped a match in the leaves, they caught fire./ 2. To become excited. •/The audience caught fire at the speaker’s words and began to cheer./ •/His imagination caught fire as he read./

[catch flat-footed] See: FLAT-FOOTED(2).

[catch forty winks] See: FORTY WINKS.

[catch hold of]{v. phr.} To grasp a person or a thing. •/"I’ve been trying to catch hold of you all week," John said, "but you were out of town."/ •/The mountain climber successfully caught hold of his friend’s hand and thereby saved his life./

[catch it] or [get it] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be scolded or punished. — Usually used of children. •/John knew he would catch it when he came home late for supper./ •/Wow, Johnny! When your mother sees those torn pants, you’re going to get it./ Compare: GET WHAT’S COMING TO ONE. Contrast: GIVE IT TO(2).

[catch it in the neck] or [get it in the neck] {v. phr.}, {slang} To be blamed or punished. •/Tom got it in the neck because he forgot to close the windows when it rained./ •/Students get it in the neck when they lose library books./ Compare: CATCH IT, GET WHAT’S COMING TO ONE.

[catch off balance]{v. phr.} To confront someone with physical force or with a statement or question he or she is not prepared to answer or deal with; to exploit the disadvantage of another. •/The smaller wrestler caught his opponent off balance and managed to throw him on the float in spite of his greater weight and strength./ •/Your question has caught me off balance; please give me some time to think about your problem./