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catch-as-catch-can

catch-as-catch-can

1 8.9
Using whatever is available and acting without a plan
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : como se pueda
  • In our catch-as-catch-can strategy for managing the event, we relied on volunteers to handle various tasks as needed.

Examples

  • For the most part, finding duplicates at the other CU system libraries is a catch-as-catch-can process.

    Academic text (2013)
  • That is very easy compared to scratching a living, catch as catch can.

    Blog text (26)
  • If making money is your goal, then it is catch-as-catch-can.

    Blog text (31)
  • Despite pockets of sanity in our "vision," the end result is catch-as-catch-can.

    Blog text (3)
  • During the project, we adopted a catch-as-catch-can approach to solve unexpected problems as they arose.

  • The repairs were done in a catch-as-catch-can manner, using whatever tools were available at the time.

Synonyms

to make it up as one goes along
vscatch-as-catch-can
  • Informal
11 6.6

Decide or think of things during a situation without planning ahead

focuses more on using whatever methods or resources are available
ad hoc
vscatch-as-catch-can
9 7.0

Made quickly for a specific purpose when needed

is broader, using any available methods or resources rather than only one purpose
by hook or by crook
vscatch-as-catch-can
  • Informal
1 8.1

Using any way to get something done no matter what it takes

is improvised but does not imply using all methods regardless of cost
seat-of-the-pants
vscatch-as-catch-can
  • Informal
1 8.5

Acting on instinct rather than careful planning

allows flexible use of methods and tools, not only instinctive choices
by guess or by gosh
vscatch-as-catch-can
  • Informal
9.9

People make decisions by guessing when there is no clear plan

emphasizes flexible use of resources rather than mere guessing or chance

Antonyms

70 4.2

Not willing to change ideas or ways of doing things

26 1.0

Arranged before it happens on purpose

How Organized

methodically
27 4.0
ad hoc
1 6.9
catch-as-catch-can
  • Informal
1 8.9
haphazardly
9 6.1

Surface Forms

Etymology

Catch-as-catch-can comes from an old wrestling style where wrestlers were allowed to catch 'to grab' any hold they can 'are able' to get. So, catch-as-catch-can now means doing something with whatever you have on hand, in a loose, improvised way.