# catch a falling knife

idiom

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

## Meaning

To buy a financial instrument whose price is falling rapidly.

## Examples

- Do not try to catch a falling knife by buying those crashing stocks.
- Many investors lost money when they tried to catch a falling knife during the market crash.
- Despite the analyst's warning that the company's value would continue to plummet, he foolishly attempted to catch a falling knife in hopes of a quick profit.

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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.