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Glite Dictionary
to catch dust

to catch dust

5.5
To collect dust when it is not used
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : acumular polvo
  • Many unused kitchen appliances tend to catch dust after a few months.

Examples

  • He left his bike in the garage, and now it's starting to catch dust.

  • The souvenirs on the top shelf just catch dust all year long.

  • The old books catch dust on the shelf.

  • Don't let your bike catch dust in the garage!

  • Books that are rarely read tend to catch dust on the shelves.

  • The unused equipment in the garage began to catch dust over the years.

  • If you leave your bicycle outside, it will catch dust and rust.

Synonyms

to collect dust
vsto catch dust
  • Informal
8 3.7

To stay unused or forgotten and become covered in dust

focuses on physical dirt building up because of disuse

Antonyms

to clean
∞ 1.0

To remove dirt and stains

How Dusty

to catch dust
5.5
to collect dust
  • Informal
8 3.7

Surface Forms

catch dust infinitive
catching dust present participle
catches dust third person singular
caught dust past
caught dust past participle

Morphology

catch + dust

The meaning 'to accumulate dust' is directly derivable from combining 'catch' (to collect or receive) with 'dust' (tiny particles that settle). This is a straightforward, compositional use similar to 'gather/collect dust' in many languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would readily understand it.

Etymology

The phrase catch dust comes from the simple image of something left in one place while tiny dust in the air slowly settles on it. If a bike or a book is not used, it will catch dust, so the phrase means 'to collect dust' or 'to be neglected'.