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Phrases related to: throw a sprat to catch a mackerel

Yee yee! We've found 233 phrases and idioms matching throw a sprat to catch a mackerel.

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throw a sprat to catch a mackerelTo sacrifice something of little value in the hope of gaining something better.Rate it:

(4.00 / 2 votes)
holy mackerelAn expression of surprise.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
catch as catch canTo use any available means or methods.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
catch-as-catch-canIntermittent; only when possible or when the opportunity presents itself.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
catch-as-catch-canA. 1681, John Fryer, Richard Chiswell, Robert Roberts, Robert White, A New Account of East-India and Persia, in Eight Letters, Being Nine Years Travels, Begun 1672 and Finished 1681.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
catch 22A self-contradictory rule that prevents a desired outcome.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
catch fliesAn ostensible product of awkwardly having one's mouth open wide.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
catch of the dayA person who is a popular or desirable choice to be a partner in a prospective marital or romantic relationship.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegarIt's easier to persuade others with polite requests and a positive attitude than with rude demands and negativity.Rate it:

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catch onTo begin to understand; to realize or detect.Rate it:

(4.25 / 4 votes)
catch hellBe severely reprimanded, punished, or beaten.Rate it:

(4.00 / 2 votes)
catch onTo become popular; to become commonplace; to become the standard.Rate it:

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catch outTo discover or expose as fake or insincere.Rate it:

(4.00 / 3 votes)
catch sight ofto see for a brief period; to get a glimpse ofRate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
catch upTo be reaching something that had been ahead.Rate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
catch upTo pick up suddenly.Rate it:

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catch upTo provide with news.Rate it:

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catch you laterAn informal farewellRate it:

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Catch You LaterTo say farewell to someone for a short time-period or just a simple good byeRate it:

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Catch-22A difficult situation from which there is no escape because it involves mutually conflicting or dependent conditions.Rate it:

(4.00 / 2 votes)
catch you on the flip sideGoodbye, farewell.Rate it:

(3.50 / 2 votes)
catch big airSuperlative of catch air; make a big jump high off the ground.Rate it:

(3.00 / 2 votes)
catch the sunTo become sunburned.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
catch upTo get news.Rate it:

(2.50 / 2 votes)
catch of the dayA type of fish or other seafood which has been caught and brought to market within more-or-less the last 24 hours.Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
catch the sunTo reflect light from the sun.Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
catch a tanTo get a suntan.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
catch fireBecome engulfed with flames.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
catch someone red-handedTo discover or capture someone in the act of committing a crime.Rate it:

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catch a break!To receive or get lucky opportunityRate it:

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catch a buzzTo become slightly inebriated, but not yet be drunk.Rate it:

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catch a coldTo become infected with cold.Rate it:

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catch airTo make a jump.Rate it:

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catch dustTo be rarely used.Rate it:

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catch heatTo get into trouble with somebody; to be scolded or chastised.Rate it:

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catch itBe severely reprimanded, punished, or beaten.Rate it:

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catch nappingTo surprise; to take advantage of the lack of watchfulness of.Rate it:

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catch one's deathTo contract a serious illness, especially a nasty cold or other respiratory ailment and especially as a result of exposure to wet or chilly weather.Rate it:

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catch outTo put a batsman out by catching the batted ball before it touches the ground.Rate it:

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catch some raysTo sunbathe.Rate it:

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catch some z'sTo sleep.Rate it:

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catch someone nappingTo take advantage of someone's inattention.Rate it:

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Catch Someone Red-HandedTo get hold of a person or situation, while a wrong act is being carried outRate it:

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catch someone with one's hand in the cookie jarTo catch someone taking something that he or she is not entitled to.Rate it:

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catch someone's driftIf you catch someone's drift (or get someone's drift) it means you understand what they mean; this phrase is used especially when you want to get an idea across to someone but you don't want to exactly speak the words you mean or if you think the listener may be confused about what you meanRate it:

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catch someone's eyeTo capture someone's attention.Rate it:

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catch the eyeTo attract the attentionRate it:

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catch upTo entangle.Rate it:

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catch upget level withRate it:

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catch upTo compensate for or make up a deficiency.Rate it:

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