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# catch

verb (catch, catches, caught, catching); noun (a catch, catches)

«catch» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To catch is to take and hold something that moves, like a ball or a fish. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/catch/#m1)
2. To catch is to get on a bus or train in time. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/catch/#m2)
3. To catch an illness is to get it from someone. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/catch/#m3)
4. To catch is to see or find someone doing something: «I caught him eating sweets». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/catch/#m4)
5. A catch is a hidden problem, or the fish caught. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/catch/#m5)
6. To catch a word or a sound means to hear or understand it, especially when it is quick or quiet. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/catch/#m6)

### In the lessons

things caught are added; also catching up in a race; phrases «catch up», «catch a cold», «catch a bus», «catch your breath», «catch fire», «what's the catch?»

### Examples

- He caught 5 fish. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/catch/#x1)
- She catches 3 balls out of 10. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/catch/#x2)
- They caught 12 fish and let 4 go. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/catch/#x3)
- How long until the bus catches up? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/catch/#x4)
- Catch the ball with both hands! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/catch/#x5)
- We ran to catch the bus. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/catch/#x6)
- Wash your hands so you don't catch a cold. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/catch/#x7)
- Paper can catch fire easily. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/catch/#x8)
- The offer was free, but there was a catch. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/catch/#x9)
- Let me catch my breath after running. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/catch/#x10)
- Anon he caught the word Peter. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/catch/#x11)

### Note

Catching adds to what is held. Trap: «catch up» is a distance or speed comparison: time = gap ÷ difference of speeds. Past form «caught», not «catched». «Out of 10» names a whole.

## In Jewish tradition

things caught are added; also catching up in a race; phrases «catch up», «catch a cold», «catch a bus», «catch your breath», «catch fire», «what's the catch?»

### Examples

- And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns. (Torah GEN.22.13, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/catch/#x1)
- that she caught him by his garment, saying: 'Lie with me.' And he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out. (Torah GEN.39.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/catch/#x2)
- If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the shocks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field are consumed; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution. (Torah EXO.22.6, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/catch/#x3)
- For the LORD will be thy confidence, and will keep thy foot from being caught. (Writings PRO.3.26, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/catch/#x4)
- So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face she said unto him: (Writings PRO.7.13, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/catch/#x5)
- And Joab fled unto the Tent of the LORD, and caught hold on the horns of the altar. (Prophets 1KI.2.28, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/catch/#x6)

### Note

Catching adds to what is held. Trap: «catch up» is a distance or speed comparison: time = gap ÷ difference of speeds. Past form «caught», not «catched». «Out of 10» names a whole.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «catch» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/catch/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«catch» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/catch.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «catch» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/catch/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«catch» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/catch.html) on Mova free.