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Glite Dictionary
to catch it from

to catch it from

1 8.7
Get a strong scolding from someone after doing something wrong
  • phrasal verb
  • Informal
translation icon : recibir una reprimenda
  • We all caught it from the boss after missing the deadline.

Examples

  • Don't catch it from your parents!

  • If you forget your homework again, you're going to catch it from Miss Harris.

  • He knew he would catch it from his parents when they found out about the broken window.

  • He will catch it from his boss for being late.

  • After arriving late, she knew she would catch it from her boss.

  • If you don't finish your homework, you'll catch it from your teacher.

  • He was afraid to catch it from his friends for breaking their agreement.

Synonyms

to get in trouble
vsto catch it from
203 2.7

Face blame or punishment for something you did wrong

focuses specifically on criticism or scolding rather than broader negative outcomes
to get it
vsto catch it from
  • Informal
113 8.2

To be punished or scolded for something you did

is more informal and implies blame after a mistake
to catch hell
vsto catch it from
  • Slang
5 8.2

To get a lot of blame or punishment for a mistake

is similar but usually less extreme in severity
to catch it
vsto catch it from
  • Informal
3 8.3

To be punished or scolded by someone in charge

is similar but can come from anyone, not only authority figures
to take a lot of flak
vsto catch it from
1 7.4

Get a lot of criticism or blame from other people

includes being scolded or punished, not only facing criticism
to catch heat
vsto catch it from
  • Informal
1 8.3

To get criticism or blame from others for something you did

involves criticism or punishment personally rather than public or official backlash

Antonyms

praising
2.1

Showing approval and admiration for someone or their work

How Reprimanded

punished
1.4
to catch it from
  • Informal
1 8.7
to tell off
  • Informal
13 4.2
to criticize
701 3.3
correction
31 3.6

Surface Forms

catch it from infinitive
catching it from present participle
catches it from third person singular
caught it from past
caught it from past participle

Morphology

catch + it + from

The construction uses 'catch' in a figurative sense of 'receive' with 'it' as a placeholder and 'from' marking the source, so learners can infer that someone will 'get something' from another person. However, the specific interpretation as being scolded or punished is an idiomatic extension of 'catch it' that is not fully predictable from the literal meanings, making the phrase only partially transparent to B1 learners.

Etymology

The phrasal verb catch it from may come from a simple image: to catch something unwanted, like a blow or a scolding, from someone who gives it. So catch it from means 'to be criticized or punished by someone'.