Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary полностью

6 VERB When you catch a bus, train, or plane, you get on it in order to travel somewhere. □ [V n] We were in plenty of time for Anthony to catch the ferry. □ [V n prep] He caught a taxi to Harrods.

7 VERB If you catch someone doing something wrong, you see or find them doing it. □ [V n v-ing] He caught a youth breaking into a car. □ [V n prep] They caught him on camera doing it more than once.

8 VERB If you catch yourself doing something, especially something surprising, you suddenly become aware that you are doing it. □ [V pron-refl v-ing] I caught myself feeling almost sorry for poor Mr Laurence.

9 VERB If you catch something or catch a glimpse of it, you notice it or manage to see it briefly. □ [V n] As she turned back, she caught the puzzled look on her mother's face. □ [V n] He caught a glimpse of the man's face in a shop window.

10 VERB If you catch something that someone has said, you manage to hear it. □ [V n] I do not believe I caught your name. □ [V wh] The men out in the corridor were trying to catch what they said.

11 VERB If you catch a TV or radio programme or an event, you manage to see or listen to it. □ [V n] Bill turns on the radio to catch the local news.

12 VERB If you catch someone, you manage to contact or meet them to talk to them, especially when they are just about to go somewhere else. □ [V n] I dialled Elizabeth's number thinking I might catch her before she left for work. □ [V n] Hello, Dolph. Glad I caught you.

13 VERB If something or someone catches you by surprise or at a bad time, you were not expecting them or do not feel able to deal with them. □ [V n prep] She looked as if the photographer had caught her by surprise. □ [V n prep] I'm sorry but I just cannot say anything. You've caught me at a bad time. □ [V n adj] The sheer number of spectators has caught everyone unprepared.

14 VERB If something catches your attention or your eye, you notice it or become interested in it. □ [V n] My shoes caught his attention. □ [V n] A quick movement across the aisle caught his eye.

15 V-PASSIVE If you are caught in a storm or other unpleasant situation, it happens when you cannot avoid its effects. □ [be/get V -ed + in] When he was fishing off the island he was caught in a storm and almost drowned. □ [be V -ed + between] Visitors to the area were caught between police and the rioters.

16 V-PASSIVE If you are caught between two alternatives or two people, you do not know which one to choose or follow. □ [be V -ed + between ] The Jordanian leader is caught between both sides in the dispute. □ [be V -ed + between ] She was caught between envy and admiration.

17 VERB If you catch a cold or a disease, you become ill with it. □ [V n] The more stress you are under, the more likely you are to catch a cold.

18 VERB To catch liquids or small pieces that fall from somewhere means to collect them in a container. □ [V n] …a specially designed breadboard with a tray to catch the crumbs.

19 VERB If something catches the light or if the light catches it, it reflects the light and looks bright or shiny. □ [V n] They saw the ship's guns, catching the light of the moon. □ [V n + in ] Often a fox goes across the road in front of me and I just catch it in the headlights.

20 N‑COUNT A catch on a window, door, or container is a device that fastens it. □ [+ of ] She fiddled with the catch of her bag.