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catch

catch

52 5.6
A device that holds or locks something closed
  • noun
  • /kæʧ/
translation icon : cierre
  • One small hand gripped the door catch, the other held a torch aloft.

So after the railing came off, took the catch out-of-the-box, no problem at all.

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Examples

  • And the catch plate is the piece that allows the thumb catch to grab hold and keep the pruners locked.

  • You see, even with this catch pulled in here, it's still just staying shut.

  • The catch will be useful to us on the voyage.

  • I think you'll find the safety catch is on.

  • It has little catches basically to trap the cells as they're flowing through in a culture medium.

  • Corinne rushes to the pod, slams her hand on the release catch of the door, and clambers in.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • The catch on the door kept it securely closed during the storm.

  • He checked the catch on the latch to ensure it was properly locked.

  • The backpack features a quick-release catch for easy access to its contents.

Synonyms

hook
vscatch
192 1.0

A curved piece used to catch or hang things

is the overall concept for many fastening locking or holding devices
latch
vscatch
49 2.6

A small metal part that holds a door or gate closed

is the broader class covering many fastening types beyond doors
claw
vscatch
31 5.6

A curved tool that grips and pulls things

is the overall name for fastening or locking devices rather than a part
locker
vscatch
31 1.0

A thing that keeps a door or lid closed and safe

is the general term for fastening devices not only locking ones
clasp
vscatch
14 2.6

A small hook or buckle that fastens things together

is the wide term for devices that fasten or hold things
fixing
vscatch
  • UK
13 3.4

A part used to hold something in place

is the general term covering fastening locking or holding devices
safety catch
vscatch
1 4.1

A part on a gun or other weapon that stops it firing by mistake

is the general concept of fastening or locking rather than a safety feature
holdfast
vscatch
  • Specialized
1 8.4

A part or device that keeps something firmly in place

is the common term for any fastening or locking device
fixator
vscatch
  • Specialized
1 8.6

A device that holds a broken bone or other parts firmly in place during healing

is the general fastening device term not specific to medical uses
holding device
vscatch
  • Specialized
1 3.6

A tool that keeps something steady in one place

is the wider label for mechanisms that fasten or lock things
clinch
vscatch
  • Specialized
1 7.1

A bent nail end or knot that holds things together

is the broad device category not limited to knots or bends
snap fastener
vscatch
  • Specialized
1 3.4

A small thing on clothes or bags that joins two pieces by pressing two round parts together

is the broad fastening device idea not limited to clothing snaps
grasper
vscatch
  • Specialized
1 5.6

A tool that holds objects firmly, like forceps used by surgeons

is the broad fastening category not focused on gripping action
securement
vscatch
7.0

A device or method that keeps something from moving

is the basic idea of a fastening device rather than the method
lockring
vscatch
  • Specialized
8.8

A thin metal ring that keeps a nut from coming loose

is the general device class not tied to this specific mechanical use
griper
vscatch
9.3

A tool for holding or lifting things safely

is the generic fastening idea rather than active gripping or lifting tools

Antonyms

1.8

To let someone or something go free from being held

Idioms

Pause to breathe normally after hard exercise or a shock

Difficult to find, stop, or understand

5 8.2

To become very sick from being outside in the cold, often said as a warning

To notice a small smell of something for a short time

2 7.9

To sleep to get some rest

1 9.9

Get in trouble with the law by being charged with a crime

1 8.9

Using whatever is available and acting without a plan

to catch a body
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To find a dead person, often during police work or as slang for killing someone

To not pay attention and miss what is happening around you, for example because you are daydreaming

To try to get people to agree by being harsh or unpleasant

7.0

Challenge someone to try to reach or pass you

to catch no ball
  • Informal
9.9

To not understand anything in a talk or explanation

9.9

To get a sickness in your chest that makes you cough a lot

to catch a cootie
  • Baby Talk
9.5

To pretend to get a small, not real illness from another person

9.9

To unexpectedly meet a very strong opponent

to catch a wave
  • Informal
6.9

To use a rising trend or new interest to grow quickly

To find someone not ready or not paying attention

8.9

To sleep for a short time

Notice someone being careless when they should be paying attention

Give something small to get something much bigger later

Compounds

Catch-22
  • Informal
18 9.6

A situation where you cannot win because rules block every choice

catch-up
  • Informal
9 3.3

An informal meeting to share news and updates

6 3.6

A time of work to reach the same level after falling behind

The freshest fish or seafood available that day, often on a restaurant menu

2 3.8

Helps someone reach the needed level after falling behind

1 3.5

A short famous saying people often repeat about a person or show

1 4.1

A part on a gun or other weapon that stops it firing by mistake

fair catch
  • Specialized
1 7.0

A player signals and catches a punt without running and cannot be tackled

1 2.9

Seafood caught recently that is not yet cooked or preserved

by-catch
  • Specialized
1 8.0

Animals and other sea life that are caught by accident while people fish for other species

A 2002 American film by Steven Spielberg starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks

catch crop
  • Specialized
6.7

A fast-growing crop planted between main crops to use land and time well

catch pen
  • Specialized
6.3

A small fenced area that holds animals like sheep or cattle for a short time

glottal catch
  • Specialized
9.9

A quick sound made by briefly closing and opening the vocal cords before a vowel

8.6

A baseball play where an outfielder runs and grabs a ball very close to the ground

How Secure

deadbolt
14 4.6
lock
523 1.0
catch
52 5.6
to latch
58 2.5
hook
192 1.0
clip
152 1.3

Surface Forms

catch singular
catches plural

Etymology

Catch as a noun names a small device that 'holds' or locks something because it catches and keeps the part in place.