Caught — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly

"we tried to catch the kitten before she could sneak out the door"

to become affected with (a disease or disorder)

"you'll catch the flu for sure if you don't get a shot"

to bring (something) to a standstill

"I caught myself just as I was about to step into the freshly poured concrete"

to put securely in place or in a desired position

"caught back her hair with a barrette"

to have a clear idea of

"I didn't catch the point you were making about our nation's foreign policy"

to cause to believe what is untrue

"a number of media outlets were caught by the woman's hard-luck story"

to come upon face-to-face or as if face-to-face

"I'll catch you at the library tomorrow"

to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes

"I looked out the window just in time to catch the neighbor's dog digging up my flower bed"

to move fast enough to get even with

"despite the suspect's considerable lead, the fleet-footed police officer was able to catch him and make an arrest"

as in went, worked out

to catch or hold as if in a net

"a young idealist who got caught up in the political fanaticism of the times"

to hold the attention of as if by a spell

"completely caught up in opera ever since he saw La Traviata"

to hold the attention of

"so caught up in the game that she didn't note the passage of time"

to give information to

"catch me up on what's been happening at the office"

to turn out as planned or desired

"It is rare when a product catches fire with consumers and exceeds all expectations."

to come to a temporary halt in one's activity

"I need a second to catch my breath before we move on with this discussion."

to hold the attention of

"This necklace just caught my eye and I couldn't resist buying it."

to come to an awareness of

"she caught on to the fact that they were planning a surprise party"

to have a clear idea of

"he finally caught on to the concept of phototaxis"

to catch or hold as if in a net

"a young idealist who got caught up in the political fanaticism of the times"

to hold the attention of as if by a spell

"completely caught up in opera ever since he saw La Traviata"

to hold the attention of

"so caught up in the game that she didn't note the passage of time"

to give information to

"catch me up on what's been happening at the office"