catch

verb

接住 hold

1. 接住；截住；拦住
   to stop and hold a moving object, especially in your hands
   1. She managed to catch the keys as they fell.
      她接住了落下的钥匙。
   2. ‘Throw me over that towel, will you?’ ‘OK. Catch!’
      “请你把毛巾扔过来好吗？”“好，接住！”
   3. The dog caught the stick in its mouth.
      狗衔住了木棍。
2. 接（落下的液体）
   to hold a liquid when it falls
   1. The roof was leaking and I had to use a bucket to catch the drips.
      屋顶漏雨，我不得不用桶来接。
3. 抓住；握住
   to take hold of sb/sth
   1. He caught hold of her arm as she tried to push past him.
      她试图从他身边挤过去时，他一把抓住了她的手臂。

捉住 capture

4. 逮住；捕捉；捕获
   to capture a person or an animal that tries or would try to escape
   1. The murderer was never caught.
      这个杀人犯一直未抓到。
   2. Our cat is hopeless at catching mice.
      我们的猫绝对捉不到老鼠。
   3. How many fish did you catch?
      你捕到几条鱼？

某人正做某事 sb doing sth

5. 当场发现（或发觉）
   to find or discover sb doing sth, especially sth wrong
   1. I caught her smoking in the bathroom.
      我撞见她在盥洗室里抽烟。
   2. You wouldn't catch me working (= I would never work) on a Sunday!
      你绝对不会看到我在星期日工作！
   3. She caught herself wondering whether she had made a mistake.
      她发觉自己在怀疑是否犯了错误。
   4. He was caught with bomb-making equipment in his home.
      他被发现家里藏有制造炸弹的设备。
   5. Mark walked in and caught them at it (= in the act of doing sth wrong) .
      马克走了进去，发现他们正在干坏事。
   6. thieves caught in the act
      偷窃时被当场抓住的窃贼
   7. You've caught me at a bad time (= at a time when I am busy) .
      你现在来找我可不是时候。

及时 be in time

6. 及时做（或谈等）
   to be in time to do sth, talk to sb, etc.
   1. I caught him just as he was leaving the building.
      他正要离开大楼时，我追上了他。
   2. I was hoping to catch you at home (= to telephone you at home when you were there) .
      我本希望赶上你在家的时候给你打电话。
   3. The illness can be treated provided it's caught (= discovered) early enough.
      此病若及早发现是可医治的。
   4. to catch the post (= post letters before the box is emptied)
      （寄信）赶上邮局的收信时刻
   5. Bye for now! I'll catch you later (= speak to you again later) .
      再见！下次再谈。

公共汽车；火车；飞机 bus/train/plane

7. 赶上（公共汽车、火车、飞机等）
   to be in time for a bus, train, plane, etc. and get on it
   1. We caught the 12.15 from Oxford.
      我们赶上了12:15从牛津发出的火车。
   2. I must go─I have a train to catch.
      我得走了——我要赶火车。

意外地发生 happen unexpectedly

8. 突然遭受
   to happen unexpectedly and put sb in a difficult situation
   1. His arrival caught me by surprise .
      他的到来让我感到意外。
   2. She got caught in a thunderstorm.
      她遇上了雷雨。

看见；听到 see/hear

9. 看见；听到；出席；参加
   to see or hear sth; to attend sth
   1. Let's eat now and maybe we could catch a movie later.
      咱们现在就吃吧，也许还能赶上一场电影。

疾病 illness

10. 得病；染疾
    to get an illness
    1. to catch measles
       染上麻疹
    2. I think I must have caught this cold from you.
       我的感冒想必是你传染的。

被缠住 become stuck

11. （被）钩住，夹住，绊住
    to become stuck in or on sth; to make sth become stuck
    1. Her dress caught on a nail.
       她的连衣裙被钉子钩住了。
    2. He caught his thumb in the door.
       他的拇指被门夹住了。

打 hit

12. 击中；打
    to hit sb/sth
    1. The stone caught him on the side of the head.
       他头的侧面被石头击中。
    2. She caught him a blow on the chin.
       她一拳打在他下巴上。

注意到 notice

13. 察觉；瞥见
    to notice sth only for a moment
    1. She caught sight of a car in the distance.
       她瞥见远处有一辆车。
    2. He caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror.
       他看了一眼镜子中的自己。
    3. I caught a look of surprise on her face.
       我发现她面露惊奇。
    4. He caught a whiff of her perfume.
       他闻到一股她身上的香水味。

听见；理解 hear/understand

14. 听清楚；领会
    to hear or understand sth
    1. Sorry, I didn't quite catch what you said.
       对不起，我没听清楚你的话。

兴趣 interest

15. 引起，激发（兴趣、想象、注意等）
    if sth catches your interest, etc., you notice it and feel interested in it

逼真地显示 show accurately

16. 逼真再现；准确描绘
    to show or describe sth accurately
    1. The artist has caught her smile perfectly.
       艺术家惟妙惟肖地画出了她的微笑。

光 light

17. （光）照射；受到（光的）照射
    if sth catches the light or the light catches it, the light shines on it and makes it shine too
    1. The knife gleamed as it caught the light .
       刀在光照下闪闪发亮。

太阳 the sun

18. 晒黑；晒红；晒成棕色
    if you catch the sun , you become red or brown because of spending time in the sun

燃烧 burn

19. 烧着；着（火）
    to begin to burn
    1. The wooden rafters caught fire .
       木椽子着火了。
    2. These logs are wet: they won't catch.
       这些木柴是湿的，烧不着。

板球 in cricket

20. （在球落地前）接住球
    to make a player unable to continue batting by catching the ball they have hit before it touches the ground

noun

球 of ball

1. 接（球等）
   an act of catching sth, for example a ball
   1. to make a catch
      接球

捕获量 amount caught

2. 总捕获量
   the total amount of things that are caught
   1. a huge catch of fish
      捕获大量的鱼

固着装置 fastening

3. 扣拴物；扣件
   a device used for fastening sth
   1. a catch on the door
      门闩
   2. safety catches for the windows
      安全窗钩

困难 difficulty

4. 隐藏的困难；暗藏的不利因素
   a hidden difficulty or disadvantage
   1. All that money for two hours' work─what's the catch?
      干了两小时的活就给那么多钱——这里面有什么鬼？

儿童游戏 child's game

5. （儿童）传接球游戏
   a child's game in which two people throw a ball to each other

人 person

6. 理想的对象；意中人；雇用的好对象；看中的人
   a person that other people see as a good person to marry, employ, etc.

1. VERB 抓获;捕捉;逮到
   If you catch a person or animal, you capture them after chasing them, or by using a trap, net, or other device.
   1. Police say they are confident of catching the gunman...
      警方说他们有信心抓住那个持枪歹徒。
   2. Where did you catch the fish?...
      这条鱼你在哪儿逮的？
   3. I wondered if it was an animal caught in a trap.
      我在想，会不会是什么动物掉进了陷阱。
2. VERB 接住;抓住
   If you catch an object that is moving through the air, you seize it with your hands.
   1. I jumped up to catch a ball and fell over.
      我跳起来接球，结果摔了个跟头。
   2. Catch is also a noun.
      
   3. He missed the catch and the match was lost.
      他没有接住球，比赛输了。
3. VERB 握住;抓住;拉住
   If you catch a part of someone's body, you take or seize it with your hand, often in order to stop them going somewhere.
   1. Liz caught his arm...
      莉兹一把抓住了他的胳膊。
   2. He knelt beside her and caught her hand in both of his...
      他跪在她的旁边，双手握住她的一只手。
   3. Garrido caught her by the wrist.
      加里多抓住她的手腕。
4. VERB 砸到;击中;碰到
   If one thing catches another, it hits it accidentally or manages to hit it.
   1. The stinging slap almost caught his face...
      那狠狠的一巴掌差点搧在他脸上。
   2. I may have caught him with my elbow but it was just an accident...
      也许我的胳膊肘碰到了他，但那是无意的。
   3. He caught her on the side of her head with his other fist.
      他的另一只拳头从侧面击中她的头部。
5. V-ERG (被)卡住;(被)钩住
   If something catches on or in an object or if an object catches something, it accidentally becomes attached to the object or stuck in it.
   1. Her ankle caught on a root, and she almost lost her balance...
      她的脚踝被树根绊了一下，差点摔倒。
   2. A man caught his foot in the lawnmower.
      有个男的一只脚绞进剪草机里了。
6. VERB 乘坐;搭乘;赶上
   When you catch a bus, train, or plane, you get on it in order to travel somewhere.
   1. We were in plenty of time for Anthony to catch the ferry...
      我们时间充裕得很，足够安东尼赶上渡船。
   2. He caught a taxi to Harrods.
      他打了辆出租车去哈罗德百货商店。
7. VERB 撞见，当场抓住(某人做坏事)
   If you catch someone doing something wrong, you see or find them doing it.
   1. He caught a youth breaking into a car...
      他撞见一个青年正在撬车。
   2. I don't want to catch you pushing yourself into the picture to get some personal publicity...
      我不希望看见你为了出风头而去抢镜头。
   3. Three years ago my wife and I divorced. I caught her with her boss.
      3年前，我和老婆离了婚。我发现她和她老板有染。
8. VERB 忽然发觉;突然意识到
   If you catch yourself doing something, especially something surprising, you suddenly become aware that you are doing it.
   1. I caught myself feeling almost sorry for poor Mr Laurence.
      我突然发觉自己几乎同情起可怜的劳伦斯先生来了。
9. VERB 注意;留意;看见
   If you catch something or catch a glimpse of it, you notice it or manage to see it briefly.
   1. As she turned back she caught the puzzled look on her mother's face...
      她转过身来，看见母亲脸上迷惑的表情。
   2. He caught a glimpse of the man's face in a shop window.
      他在商店橱窗里瞥见了一眼那个人的脸。
   3. Often a fox goes across the road in front of me and I just catch it in the headlights.
      常常有狐狸穿越车前方的马路，我借助车头灯正好看见。
10. VERB 听见;听清
    If you catch something that someone has said, you manage to hear it.
    1. His ears caught a faint cry...
       他听到一声微弱的叫声。
    2. I do not believe I caught your name...
       我没有听清你的名字。
    3. The men out in the corridor were trying to catch what they said.
       外面走廊里的人竖起耳朵想听他们说些什么。
11. VERB 观看，收看，收听(电视或电台节目)
    If you catch a TV or radio programme or an event, you manage to see or listen to it.
    1. Bill turns on the radio to catch the local news...
       比尔打开收音机，收听本地新闻。
    2. The exhibition is on at Droitwich until May 24. You can also catch it at Leominster from June 5.
       展览在德罗伊特威奇一直持续到5月24日。从6月5日起，还可以在莱姆斯特参观该展览。
12. VERB (尤指及时)遇到，联系上
    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.
    1. I dialled Elizabeth's number thinking I might catch her before she left for work...
       我拨了伊丽莎白的号码，心里想或许能赶在她去上班前联系到她。
    2. Hello, Dolph. Glad I caught you.
       喂，多尔夫，可见着你了。
13. VERB 使惊慌失措;使措手不及
    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.
    1. She looked as if the photographer had caught her by surprise...
       看上去，她好像被摄影师搞了个猝不及防。
    2. I'm sorry but I just cannot say anything. You've caught me at a bad time...
       对不起，我真的没什么好说的。你问得不是时候。
    3. The sheer number of spectators has caught everyone unprepared.
       观众的人数之多让所有人措手不及。
14. VERB 引起，吸引(注意或兴趣)
    If something catches your attention or your eye, you notice it or become interested in it.
    1. My shoes caught his attention...
       我的鞋子引起了他的注意。
    2. A quick movement across the aisle caught his eye.
       有个人影在走道里一闪而过，引起了他的注意。
15. VERB 充分代表;充分反映
    If someone or something catches a mood or an atmosphere, they successfully represent it or reflect it.
    1. There's no doubt Mr Putin's speech caught the mood of most deputies.
       无疑，普金先生的讲话充分反映了大多数代表的心情。
16. V-PASSIVE （使）遭到；（使）遭遇；（使）遭受
    If you are caught in a storm or other unpleasant situation, it happens when you cannot avoid its effects.
    1. When he was fishing off the island he was caught in a storm and almost drowned...
       他出岛捕鱼时，赶上一场暴风雨，差点淹死。
    2. Visitors to the area were caught between police and the rioters.
       到该地区游玩的人碰上警察和骚乱分子交战。
17. V-PASSIVE (在两难中)不知如何选择，不知所措
    If you are caught between two alternatives or two people, you do not know which one to choose or follow.
    1. The Jordanian leader is caught between both sides in the dispute...
       争论双方使约旦领导人左右为难。
    2. She was caught between envy and admiration.
       她不知是该妒忌还是该羡慕。
18. VERB 染上，患，得(感冒等疾病)
    If you catch a cold or a disease, you become ill with it.
    1. The more stress you are under, the more likely you are to catch a cold.
       压力越大，越有可能患感冒。
19. VERB 盛住;接住
    To catch liquids or small pieces that fall from somewhere means to collect them in a container.
    1. The fish is laid out on a large serving plate to catch the juices.
       鱼盛在一个大盘子里，以防汤汁洒出来。
    2. ...a specially designed breadboard with a tray to catch the crumbs.
       特制的切面包板，有个能接住面包屑的槽
20. VERB 反(光);(光)照射
    If something catches the light or if the light catches it, it reflects the light and looks bright or shiny.
    1. They saw the ship's guns, catching the light of the moon...
       他们看到船上的大炮在月光下熠熠生辉。
21. VERB (风或水)裹挟，推动
    If the wind or water catches something, it carries or pushes it along.
    1. A gust of wind caught the parachute.
       一阵风将降落伞吹远。
22. N-COUNT 锁钩;挂钩；吊扣
    A catch on a window, door, or container is a device that fastens it.
    1. She fiddled with the catch of her bag...
       她摆弄着包上的搭扣。
    2. Fit windows with safety locks or catches.
       给窗户装上安全锁或窗栓。
23. N-COUNT 隐患；隐藏的困难；陷阱
    A catch is a hidden problem or difficulty in a plan or an offer that seems surprisingly good.
    1. The catch is that you work for your supper, and the food and accommodation can be very basic...
       圈套在于你是在挣钱糊口，但食宿其实有可能非常简单。
    2. 'It's your money. You deserve it.' — 'What's the catch?'
       “这钱归你，你该拿这个钱。”——“搞什么名堂？”
24. N-COUNT 捕鱼总量
    When people have been fishing, their catch is the total number of fish that they have caught.
    1. The catch included one fish over 18 pounds.
       捕获的鱼里有一条重逾18磅。
25. N-SING 如意伴侣;理想的雇员
    If you describe someone as a good catch, you mean that they have lots of good qualities and you think their partner or employer is very lucky to have found them.
    1. I was so in love with him and all my friends said what a good catch he was.
       我当时和他陷入热恋，我的朋友们都说能找到他是我的福气。
26. (儿童的)抛接球游戏
    Catch is a game in which children throw a ball to each other.
27. 捉人游戏
    Catch is a game in which one child chases other children and tries to touch or catch one of them.
28. See also: catching
29. PHRASE 我绝不会做那种事
    You can say things such as 'You wouldn't catch me doing that' to emphasize that you would never do a particular thing.
    1. You won't catch me giving him a bad review!...
       我绝不会说他坏话的。
    2. You wouldn't catch me in there, I can tell you.
       我可以告诉你，你永远别想在那里看见我。
30. PHRASE 使猝不及防；使极其尴尬;使突陷窘境
    If someone is caught with their pants down, something happens that they are not prepared for and that reveals something embarrassing or shocking about them. In British English, you can also say that they are caught with their trousers down .
    1. It makes soldiers happy to know that somebody right at the top has been caught with his trousers down...
       顶头上司出了大洋相，当兵的最高兴了。
    2. I think we caught them with their pants down. They're a bit confused.
       我觉得我们让他们下不了台了。他们有点不知所措。
31. to catch your breath → see: breath

1. Police say they are confident of catching the gunman
   警方说他们有信心抓住那个持枪歹徒。
2. Where did you catch the fish?
   这条鱼你在哪儿逮的？
3. I wondered if it was an animal caught in a trap.
   我在想，会不会是什么动物掉进了陷阱。
4. I jumped up to catch a ball and fell over.
   我跳起来接球，结果摔了个跟头。
5. Liz caught his arm
   莉兹一把抓住了他的胳膊。
6. He knelt beside her and caught her hand in both of his
   他跪在她的旁边，双手握住她的一只手。
7. The stinging slap almost caught his face
   那狠狠的一巴掌差点搧在他脸上。
8. Her ankle caught on a root, and she almost lost her balance
   她的脚踝被树根绊了一下，差点摔倒。
9. We were in plenty of time for Anthony to catch the ferry
   我们时间充裕得很，足够安东尼赶上渡船。
10. He caught a youth breaking into a car
    他撞见一个青年正在撬车。
11. I caught myself feeling almost sorry for poor Mr Laurence.
    我突然发觉自己几乎同情起可怜的劳伦斯先生来了。
12. As she turned back she caught the puzzled look on her mother's face
    她转过身来，看见母亲脸上迷惑的表情。
13. His ears caught a faint cry
    他听到一声微弱的叫声。
14. Bill turns on the radio to catch the local news
    比尔打开收音机，收听本地新闻。
15. I dialled Elizabeth's number thinking I might catch her before she left for work
    我拨了伊丽莎白的号码，心里想或许能赶在她去上班前联系到她。
16. She looked as if the photographer had caught her by surprise
    看上去，她好像被摄影师搞了个猝不及防。
17. My shoes caught his attention
    我的鞋子引起了他的注意。
18. There's no doubt Mr Putin's speech caught the mood of most deputies.
    无疑，普金先生的讲话充分反映了大多数代表的心情。
19. When he was fishing off the island he was caught in a storm and almost drowned
    他出岛捕鱼时，赶上一场暴风雨，差点淹死。
20. The Jordanian leader is caught between both sides in the dispute
    争论双方使约旦领导人左右为难。
21. The more stress you are under, the more likely you are to catch a cold.
    压力越大，越有可能患感冒。
22. The fish is laid out on a large serving plate to catch the juices.
    鱼盛在一个大盘子里，以防汤汁洒出来。
23. They saw the ship's guns, catching the light of the moon
    他们看到船上的大炮在月光下熠熠生辉。
24. A gust of wind caught the parachute.
    一阵风将降落伞吹远。
25. She fiddled with the catch of her bag
    她摆弄着包上的搭扣。
26. The catch is that you work for your supper, and the food and accommodation can be very basic
    圈套在于你是在挣钱糊口，但食宿其实有可能非常简单。
27. The catch included one fish over 18 pounds.
    捕获的鱼里有一条重逾18磅。
28. I was so in love with him and all my friends said what a good catch he was.
    我当时和他陷入热恋，我的朋友们都说能找到他是我的福气。
29. You won't catch me giving him a bad review!
    我绝不会说他坏话的。
30. It makes soldiers happy to know that somebody right at the top has been caught with his trousers down
    顶头上司出了大洋相，当兵的最高兴了。

  arrest capture catch seize【导航词义：抓住】

  arrest v. 逮捕，拘留

〔辨析〕指对罪犯或犯罪嫌疑人进行拘捕并予以监禁或拘留。

  capture v. 捕获，俘虏

〔辨析〕指通过使用武力或计谋等捉住人或动物并将其关押。

  catch v. 抓住

〔辨析〕普通用词，多指通过追踪、武力、突袭等捉住跑动或隐藏中的人或动物。

  seize v. 抓住

〔辨析〕指突然而有力地抓取。

  take board catch embark get on【导航词义：乘坐】

  take v. 搭乘，乘坐

〔辨析〕普通用词，指乘坐某种交通工具或走某条道路。

  board v. 〈正式〉登上

〔辨析〕指登上车、船、飞机等。

  catch v. 赶上

〔辨析〕指及时登上飞机、火车、公共汽车等。

  embark v. 乘船，装载

〔辨析〕主要指乘船，也可指船载运旅客、货物。

  get on phr. v. 登上，上（车）

〔辨析〕指上车、船、飞机等，多用于非正式文体。

catch at sth

catch at sth

catch on

1. 受欢迎；流行起来；变得时髦
   to become popular or fashionable
   1. The roof was leaking and I had to use a bucket to catch the drips.
      屋顶漏雨，我不得不用桶来接。

catch on (to sth)

1. 理解
   to understand sth

catch sb out

1. 使突陷困境
   to surprise sb and put them in a difficult position
2. 抓住某人的短处；指出无知；指出过失
   to show that sb does not know much or is doing sth wrong
   1. I caught her smoking in the bathroom.
      我撞见她在盥洗室里抽烟。
   2. You wouldn't catch me working (= I would never work) on a Sunday!
      你绝对不会看到我在星期日工作！
   3. She caught herself wondering whether she had made a mistake.
      她发觉自己在怀疑是否犯了错误。
   4. He was caught with bomb-making equipment in his home.
      他被发现家里藏有制造炸弹的设备。
   5. Mark walked in and caught them at it (= in the act of doing sth wrong) .
      马克走了进去，发现他们正在干坏事。
   6. thieves caught in the act
      偷窃时被当场抓住的窃贼
   7. You've caught me at a bad time (= at a time when I am busy) .
      你现在来找我可不是时候。

catch up on sth

1. 补做（未做的事）；赶做；补上
   to spend extra time doing sth because you have not done it earlier
   1. I caught him just as he was leaving the building.
      他正要离开大楼时，我追上了他。
   2. I was hoping to catch you at home (= to telephone you at home when you were there) .
      我本希望赶上你在家的时候给你打电话。
   3. The illness can be treated provided it's caught (= discovered) early enough.
      此病若及早发现是可医治的。
   4. to catch the post (= post letters before the box is emptied)
      （寄信）赶上邮局的收信时刻
   5. Bye for now! I'll catch you later (= speak to you again later) .
      再见！下次再谈。
2. 了解（已发生的事情）
   to find out about things that have happened

be/get caught up in sth

1. 被卷入；陷入
   to become involved in sth, especially when you do not want to be

catch up (with sb)

1. 赶上，追上（某人）
   to reach sb who is ahead by going faster
2. 赶上，达到（某水平）
   to reach the same level or standard as sb who was better or more advanced
   1. Let's eat now and maybe we could catch a movie later.
      咱们现在就吃吧，也许还能赶上一场电影。

catch up with sb

1. 产生（曾设法避免的）问题
   to finally start to cause problems for sb after they have managed to avoid this for some time
   1. to catch measles
      染上麻疹
   2. I think I must have caught this cold from you.
      我的感冒想必是你传染的。
2. 终于查到某人头上
   if the police or authorities catch up with sb, they find and punish them after some time

v.

catch your breath

• （由于恐惧、震惊等）屏息，屏气
  to stop breathing for a moment because of fear, shock, etc.
• （跑或激烈运动后）喘口气
  to breathe normally again after running or doing some tiring exercise

catch your death (of cold)

• 患重感冒
  to catch a very bad cold

catch sb's eye

• 引起某人注意；惹人注目
  to attract sb's attention
  1. Can you catch the waiter's eye?
     你能引起服务员的注意吗？

catch it

• 受罚；受斥责
  to be punished or spoken to angrily about sth
  1. If your dad finds out you'll really catch it!
     要是你老爸知道了，你非挨骂不可！

catch sb napping

• 使人措手不及；乘其不备
  to get an advantage over sb by doing sth when they are not expecting it and not ready for it

catch sb on the hop

• 使某人措手不及
  to surprise sb by doing sth when they are not expecting it and not ready for it

catch sb red-handed

• 当场抓住；现场捕获
  to catch sb in the act of doing sth wrong or committing a crime

catch sb with their pants down

• 使突陷窘境；乘人措手不及；出其不意；冷不防
  to arrive or do sth when sb is not expecting it and not ready, especially when they are in an embarrassing situation

(catch/throw sb) off balance

(catch/throw sb) off balance

be (caught) in a cleft stick

• 进退维谷；陷入困境
  to be in a difficult situation when any action you take will have bad results

catch/take sb's fancy

• 吸引某人；中某人的意
  to attract or please sb
  1. She looked through the hotel advertisements until one of them caught her fancy.
     她仔细查看旅馆广告，终于有一家中了她的意。

catch/touch sb on the raw

• 触到某人的痛处；揭某人的疮疤
  to upset sb by reminding them of sth they are particularly sensitive about

(caught/stuck) between a rock and a hard place

• 进退两难；左右为难
  in a situation where you have to choose between two things, both of which are unpleasant

be caught short

be caught short

n.

(a) catch-22

a catch-22 situation

• 进退维谷的局面
  a difficult situation from which there is no escape because you need to do one thing before doing a second, and you cannot do the second thing before doing the first
  1. I can't get a job because I haven't got anywhere to live but I can't afford a place to live until I get a job─it's a catch-22 situation.
     我没有住所就找不到工作，但是没有工作就没钱租房子——这真是左右为难。

noun

1. the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal)
   1. the policeman on the beat got credit for the collar

   Synonym:    apprehensionarrestcollarpinchtaking into custody

2. the act of catching an object with the hands
   1. Mays made the catch with his back to the plate
   2. he made a grab for the ball before it landed
   3. Martin's snatch at the bridle failed and the horse raced away
   4. the infielder's snap and throw was a single motion

   Synonym:    grabsnatchsnap

3. a cooperative game in which a ball is passed back and forth
   1. he played catch with his son in the backyard

4. a fastener that fastens or locks a door or window

5. a restraint that checks the motion of something
   1. he used a book as a stop to hold the door open

   Synonym:    stop

6. a drawback or difficulty that is not readily evident
   1. it sounds good but what's the catch?

   Synonym:    gimmick

7. a break or check in the voice (usually a sign of strong emotion)

8. anything that is caught (especially if it is worth catching)
   1. he shared his catch with the others

9. a person regarded as a good matrimonial prospect

   Synonym:    match

10. the quantity that was caught
    1. the catch was only 10 fish

    Synonym:    haul

verb

1. contract
   1. did you catch a cold?

2. delay or hold up
   1. I was caught in traffic and missed the meeting

3. be struck or affected by
   1. catch fire
   2. catch the mood

4. grasp with the mind or develop an understanding of
   1. did you catch that allusion?
   2. We caught something of his theory in the lecture
   3. don't catch your meaning
   4. did you get it?
   5. She didn't get the joke
   6. I just don't get him

   Synonym:    get

5. detect a blunder or misstep
   1. The reporter tripped up the senator

   Synonym:    trip up

6. discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly
   1. She caught her son eating candy
   2. She was caught shoplifting

7. become aware of
   1. he caught her staring out the window

8. be the catcher
   1. Who is catching?

9. catch up with and possibly overtake
   1. The Rolls Royce caught us near the exit ramp

   Synonym:    overtakecatch up with

10. succeed in catching or seizing, especially after a chase
    1. We finally got the suspect
    2. Did you catch the thief?

    Synonym:    getcapture

11. to hook or entangle
    1. One foot caught in the stirrup

    Synonym:    hitch

12. cause to become accidentally or suddenly caught, ensnared, or entangled
    1. I caught the hem of my dress in the brambles

13. spread or be communicated
    1. The fashion did not catch

14. reach with a blow or hit in a particular spot
    1. the rock caught her in the back of the head
    2. The blow got him in the back
    3. The punch caught him in the stomach

    Synonym:    get

15. take hold of so as to seize or restrain or stop the motion of
    1. Catch the ball!
    2. Grab the elevator door!

    Synonym:    grabtake hold of

16. capture as if by hunting, snaring, or trapping
    1. I caught a rabbit in the trap today

    Synonym:    capture

17. take in and retain
    1. We have a big barrel to catch the rainwater

18. attract and fix
    1. His look caught her
    2. She caught his eye
    3. Catch the attention of the waiter

    Synonym:    arrestget

19. apprehend and reproduce accurately
    1. She really caught the spirit of the place in her drawings
    2. She got the mood just right in her photographs

    Synonym:    get

20. attract
    1. She captured all the men's hearts

    Synonym:    captureenamourtrancebecharmenamorcaptivatebeguilecharmfascinatebewitchentranceenchant

21. reach in time
    1. I have to catch a train at 7 o'clock

22. suffer from the receipt of
    1. She will catch hell for this behavior!

    Synonym:    get

23. perceive with the senses quickly, suddenly, or momentarily
    1. I caught the aroma of coffee
    2. He caught the allusion in her glance
    3. ears open to catch every sound
    4. The dog picked up the scent
    5. Catch a glimpse

    Synonym:    pick up

24. see or watch
    1. view a show on television
    2. This program will be seen all over the world
    3. view an exhibition
    4. Catch a show on Broadway
    5. see a movie

    Synonym:    watchviewseetake in

25. hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
    1. We overheard the conversation at the next table

    Synonym:    take inoverhear

26. perceive by hearing
    1. I didn't catch your name
    2. She didn't get his name when they met the first time

    Synonym:    get

27. get or regain something necessary, usually quickly or briefly
    1. Catch some sleep
    2. catch one's breath

28. check oneself during an action
    1. She managed to catch herself before telling her boss what was on her mind

29. start burning
    1. The fire caught