catch hell
To be severely reprimanded, punished, or beaten.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“If you break that vase, you will catch hell from your mother.”
“He knew he would catch hell for missing the deadline, so he stayed late to finish the report.”
“The junior officer realized he would catch hell from his superiors once they discovered the unauthorized changes he made to the mission plan.”
- 01
all hell breaks loose
The situation becomes chaotic or characterized by conflict or rage.
- 02
all over hell's half acre
All over the place; everywhere.
- 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