catch someone up in something—deeply involve a person in smth.; wholly occupy smb.’s attention: The accident caught us all up in the resultant confusion. catch someone up on something—(coll.) tell a person the news of smth.: Oh, please catch me up on what your family is doing.
Difference between Catch someone on the wrong foot and Put a foot wrong
catch someone on the wrong foot—surprise a person when one is not ready or expecting smth.: I’m afraid you rather caught me on the wrong foot, asking for it at such short notice. put a foot wrong—(usually negat.) make the smallest mistake; make a blunder: He complained that if he put a foot wrong, the […]
Difference between Catch someone cold and Have someone cold
catch someone cold—(Sport) surprise one’s opponents when they are not prepared for an attack: Northern, seeking their eighth successive League win, were caught cold by Castleford. have someone cold—(U.S. sl.) have a person in one’s power or at one’s mercy: He’ll have to take whatever deal they offer him, they’ve got him cold for the […]
Difference between Catch one’s death and Meet one’s death
catch one’s death —(coll.) catch a severe cold that may be fatal (also: catch one’s death of cold): She had walked in the rain seeking a refuge and “catching her death” instead. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase catch someone dead—(coll., usually negat.) find a person in an embarrassing position: […]
Difference between Catch one’s breath and Get one’s breath again
catch one’s breath—be affected by a sudden emotion such as fear, excitement, etc.: To the rocketing bound of a good free horse you catch your breath, thankfully, happily. get one’s breath again—be relieved after exertion, excitement, etc.: The work goes on until Friday night, and then the break which gives one time to get one’s […]
Difference between Catch on to something and Catch up to something
catch on to something—figure smth. out; understand smth.: His sagacious mind immediately recognized and caught on to the only plan of salvation in sight. catch up to something—(also: catch up with something ) 1. overtake a bus, etc. by walking fast: Jane caught up to the bus that had almost left her behind. 2. keep […]
Difference between Catch on to someone and Catch on with someone
catch on to someone—understand the real nature of a person: He was a real talent and I hoped that the world would catch on to him. catch on with someone—become popular with people: I hope our new product catches on with children.
Difference between Catch a tiger by the tail and Take the bull by the horns
catch a tiger by the tail —(also: have a tiger by the tail) engage in an undertaking which may prove extremely dangerous or difficult: You’re taking on an organization with reserves you know nothing about. How do you know you won’t be catching a tiger by the tail? Note: The expression does not correlate in […]
Difference between Catch a look and Catch the eye
catch a look— 1. notice smb.’s glance: I caught a fleeting look of relief from Sylvia. 2. look at a person or thing: He turned to catch a look at her sweet face. catch the eye—attract attention: The thickets of Licuala catch the eye with their striking foliage.
Difference between “Cat has nine lives” and “There’s more than one way to kill a cat”
cat has nine lives, a —(saying ) cats can survive things severe enough to kill other animals: A cat has nine lives, you only have one. To prevent accidents—think before action. there’s more than one way to kill a cat (also: there are more ways than one to kill a cat)—there is more than one […]
Difference between Cat fight and Dog fight
cat fight—(coll.) 1. an altercation between two women typically involving scratching, etc.: He was recently caught inbetween a horrible cat fight involving his now girlfriend singer Kelis. 2. a vociferous dispute: A debate at Toronto City Council about an affordable housing project turned into an ugly “cat fight” between two councilors. dog fight—a close-range aerial […]
Difference between Casual ward and Casualty ward
casual ward—(UK hist.) the division of a workhouse to accommodate vagrants overnight: The next two nights of our stay were spent in the Notting Hill casual ward. casualty ward—the ward in a hospital in which accidents are treated: We were conducted to the casualty ward in which she was lying.