Phrasal verb
catch at
Definition
phrasal verb. to try to grab or reach for something quickly, often because you are desperate or in a hurry.
phrasal verb. to make a sudden, often unsuccessful, attempt to grasp or seize something; frequently used figuratively to describe a desperate attempt to seize an opportunity or idea.
Examples
“He tried to catch at the rope as he fell.”
“The drowning man would catch at any branch that floated past him in the river.”
“In her desperation to save the failing company, she would catch at any suggestion, no matter how impractical it seemed to the board.”
Examples
simple
“He tried to catch at the rope as he fell.”
contextual
“The drowning man would catch at any branch that floated past him in the river.”
complex
“In her desperation to save the failing company, she would catch at any suggestion, no matter how impractical it seemed to the board.”
Usage
usually implies a sudden or frantic motion rather than a successful capture.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'catch' (successful capture) and 'clutch at' (holding tightly); this phrase emphasizes the attempt or the reaching motion itself.
Pitfall
He caught at the ball and held it.
He caught the ball and held it.
using 'at' implies an attempt or a struggle to grab, whereas 'catch' alone implies a successful action.
Phrasal verb
Particles
at
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
catch + at + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/catch-at