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[catch up]{v.} 1. To take or pick up suddenly; grab (something). •/She caught up the book from the table and ran out of the room./ 2. To capture or trap (someone) in a situation; concern or interest very much. — Usually used in the passive with "in". •/The Smith family was caught up in the war in Europe and we did not see them again till it was over./ •/We were so caught up in the movie we forgot what time it was./ Compare: MIX UP. 3. To go fast enough or do enough so as not to be behind; overtake; come even. — Often used with "to" or "with". •/Johnny ran hard and tried to catch up to his friends./ •/Mary missed two weeks of school; she must work hard to catch up with her class./ Compare: UP TO. 4. To find out about or get proof to punish or arrest. — Usually used with "with". •/A man told the police where the robbers were hiding, so the police finally caught up with them./ 5. To result in something bad; bring punishment. — Usually used with "with". •/The boy’s fighting caught up with him and he was expelled from school./ •/Smoking will catch up with you./ Compare: CHICKENS COME HOME TO ROOST. 6. To finish; not lose or be behind. — Used with "on" and often in the phrase "get caught up on". •/Frank stayed up late to get caught up on his homework./ •/I have to catch up on my sleep./ •/We caught up on all the latest news when we got back to school and saw our friends again./ Syn.: KEEP UP.

[catch with one’s pants down]{v. phr.}, {slang} To surprise someone in an embarrassing position or guilty act. •/They thought they could succeed in the robbery, but they got caught with their pants down./ •/When the weather turned hot in May, the drive-in restaurant was caught with its pants down, and ran out of ice cream before noon./

[cat got one’s tongue] You are not able or willing to talk because of shyness. Usually used about children or as a question to children. •/Tommy’s father asked Tommy if the cat had got his tongue./ •/The little girl had a poem to recite, but the cat got her tongue./ Compare: LOSE ONE’S TONGUE.

[cat has nine lives] A cat can move so fast and jump so well that he seems to escape being killed many times. •/We thought our cat would be killed when he fell from the roof of the house. He was not, but he used up one of his nine lives./

[cathouse]{n.}, {slang} A house of ill repute, a house of prostitution. •/Massage parlors are frequently cathouses in disguise./

[cat’s meow] or [cat’s pajamas] {n.}, {slang} Something very wonderful, special, or good. •/John’s new hike is really the cat’s meow./ •/Mary’s party is going to be the cat’s pajamas./