catch fire
To become engulfed in flames, to combust.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Be careful, or the dry leaves will catch fire.”
“The old curtains were too close to the heater and started to catch fire.”
“If the sparks from the furnace reach the wooden floorboards, the entire workshop could catch fire within minutes.”
- 01
add fuel to the fire
To worsen a conflict between people; to inflame an already tense situation.
- 02
ball of fire
A person who is especially active, ambitious, hard-working, or high-achieving.
- 03
catch a body
to kill, to murder
- 04
catch a break
To experience the minimal amount of good luck or a favorable outcome.
- 05
catch a case
To be infected with a disease; used with of.
- 06
catch a cold
To contract a cold.
- 07
catch a date
Of a prostitute, to secure a client who is willing to pay for services.
- 08
catch a fade
To get knocked out (struck and rendered unconscious).
Last updated August 10, 2026