catch-as-catch-can
3
8.9
- idiom
- Informal
- In our catch-as-catch-can strategy for managing the event, we relied on volunteers to handle various tasks as needed.
Examples
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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
21
7.0
Made quickly for a specific purpose when needed
2
8.1
Using any way to get something done no matter what it takes
2
8.5
Acting on instinct rather than careful planning
Decide or think of things during a situation without planning ahead
People make decisions by guessing when there is no clear plan
Antonyms
How Organized
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.