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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

catch - 英语词汇详解 (3 meaning)

Meaning 1：intercept (catch)

catch 🔊

/kætʃ/

v., n.

To stop something that is moving through the air and hold it with your hands.

intercept 🔊

➕

/ˌɪntərˈsɛpt/

v., n.

To seize and hold a moving object, such as a ball, with the hands.

📁 Category：Entertainment & Sports 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'captiare' (to try to catch) via Old French 'cachier'.

💡 Mnemonic

A cat's paw snatching a mouse: 'cat' + 'ch' = catch.

📖 Example

The goalkeeper jumped high and managed to catch the ball just before it entered the goal. 🔊 The goalkeeper jumped high and managed to catch the ball just before it entered the goal.

🔗 Collocations

catch a ball – to seize a ball in the air

catch a fly ball – to catch a baseball hit high in the air

catch a fish – to seize a fish with hands or a net

🔄 Synonyms

snatch (v.) – to take something quickly and often forcefully

grab (v.) – to take something suddenly with the hand

seize (v.) – to take hold of something quickly and firmly

🚫 Antonyms

drop (v.) – to let something fall from the hand

miss (v.) – to fail to catch something

🌱 Derivatives

catcher (n.) – a person who catches, especially in baseball

catchable (adj.) – able to be caught

📖 Cultural Story

Evolved from Latin 'captiare' through Old French 'cachier'. In Middle English, 'cacchen' meant to chase. The sense of 'catching a disease' dates from the 16th century.

Meaning 2：spot (catch)

catch 🔊

/kætʃ/

v., n.

To find or discover someone doing something they should not be doing.

spot 🔊

➕

/spɒt/

v., n.

To notice or see someone or something, especially when they are trying not to be seen.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

I was lucky to catch a beautiful butterfly resting on a flower in my garden. 🔊 I was lucky to catch a beautiful butterfly resting on a flower in my garden.

🔗 Collocations

catch someone stealing – to see someone while they are stealing

catch a glimpse – to see something quickly and briefly

catch a mistake – to detect an error in something

🔄 Synonyms

detect (v.) – to discover or notice something that is hidden

spot (v.) – to see or notice someone or something suddenly

find (v.) – to discover someone or something by searching or by chance

🚫 Antonyms

miss (v.) – to fail to notice or see something

overlook (v.) – to fail to notice something that is obvious

🌱 Derivatives

catchy (adj.) – easily remembered or noticed, especially a tune

Meaning 3：board (catch)

catch 🔊

/kætʃ/

v., n.

To be in time to get on a bus, train, plane, etc. before it leaves.

board 🔊

➕

/bɔːrd/

v., n.

To be in time to get on a public transport vehicle before it departs.

📁 Category：Transportation & Travel 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

I had to run to catch the last bus home after the movie ended. 🔊 I had to run to catch the last bus home after the movie ended.

🔗 Collocations

catch a bus – to get on a bus before it leaves

catch a train – to arrive in time to board a train

catch a flight – to arrive at the airport in time to board a plane

🔄 Synonyms

board (v.) – to get on a vehicle, such as a bus or train

take (v.) – to use a particular form of transport

get on (phr.) – to enter a vehicle, especially a public one

🚫 Antonyms

miss (v.) – to fail to board a transport vehicle in time