# catch a body

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/catch-a-body
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

to kill, to murder

## Examples

- The dangerous criminal is known to catch a body.
- In the gritty crime novel, the protagonist warns his rival that he is not afraid to catch a body if pushed too far.
- The ruthless gang leader boasted of his dark history, claiming he had caught a body in every city he visited during his rise to power.

## Origin

The term is formed by analogy with the preexisting phrases catch a case and catch a stray.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.