Seven English expressions and phrasal verbs using ‘catch’

baseball_in_glovePeople often say that women can never have too many shoes and handbags. Well, I say that English learners can never have too many English phrasal verbs and expressions. They are what makes our English sound natural, and are more useful than shoes and bags, too.

This week, I am proud to present my top seven English expressions and phrasal verbs using ‘catch’:

catch up
Meaning: to reach a point you should be at.
Example: I have been away from work recently so I need to catch up on all the work I missed.

catch (someone) out
Meaning: to trick or fool someone.
Example: That last question really caught me out.

catch on
Meaning: to become popular.
Example: That fashion really caught on. Everyone is wearing it now.

catch (someone) red-handed
Meaning: to witness someone doing something something they shouldn’t be.
Example: The police caught the burglar red-handed.

catch your breath
Meaning: to take a short rest after doing something physically difficult.
Example: Let’s rest for a minute. I need to catch my breath after that run.

catch (someone’s) eye
Meaning: to attract attention
Example: That article caught my eye because it had such an interesting title.

catch (someone) off-guard
Meaning: to do so something people aren’t expecting.
Example: That difficult question really caught me off-guard.

Next week, we will look at expressions and phrasal verbs with ‘get’. In the meantime, can you think of any more ‘catch’ expressions or phrasal verbs?

Today’s image is by Adam Lawson.