catch a break
1. To obtain or receive a convenient, beneficial, and/or lucky opportunity. I finally caught a break when a big Hollywood producer asked me to audition for a part in the movie.
2. To receive special treatment or a favorable deal, especially regarding a reduced price on something. Tenants in the city center will be catching a break on rental prices when the city council introduces a new rent-control scheme next year. You'll catch a break on your car insurance if you don't get in any accidents while you're driving.
3. To obtain new information leading toward a solution to a given problem. The detectives finally caught a break when an anonymous caller tipped them off to the kidnapper's location.
4. To get relief from some difficulty or problem(s). We're hoping to catch a break from the drought with a little bit of rainfall this weekend. First ,my car breaks down and then I lose my keys to the apartment—I just can't catch a break today!
catch (the) headlines
To be featured on the headlines of news articles, as due to being particularly important, popular, fashionable, etc. It may not be so tremendous as to catch the headlines, but this small change in immigration law could have a huge impact on foreign workers. The pop star caught headlines yesterday after his latest run-in with police.
catch (someone's) fancy
To be appealing or pleasant to someone; to be intriguing or of interest to someone. A: "Do you want to go to a movie later on?" B: "I don't know, there's nothing that really catches my fancy in theaters right now." I'm not going to declare my major until I've had a couple years in college to see what ends up catching my fancy.
catch it in the neck
To receive a very severe rebuke, scolding, or punishment for one's actions. Primarily heard in UK. Boy, I really caught it in the neck for screwing up the Lawson account. I'm lucky I didn't lose my job! I'm really going to catch it in the neck if my parents notice this dent in the car!
catch (on) fire
To begin to burn, usually after being touched by an existing fire. Hey, keep an eye on that pan, I don't want our dinner to catch on fire. I blew out all the candles so, don't worry, the house won't catch fire! I was sitting too close to the fireplace and my sleeve caught on fire!
catch a cold
To become ill with the common cold. My sister's been sick all week, and now I think I've caught a cold from her. I hate going to the doctor's office—I always seem to catch a cold after being around all those germs!
catch a weasel asleep
To surprise someone who is normally alert, shrewd, or on-guard. Primarily heard in US. You want to try to steal your transcript from the principal's office? You never catch a weasel asleep—and especially not that one!
catch heat
To be the target of someone's anger. If I miss curfew again, I'm really going to catch heat from my parents.
catch some shuteye
To sleep. Hey, it's late, we should probably try to catch some shuteye so we're not exhausted tomorrow. A: "Where's Sara?" B: "Catching some shuteye. I'm not supposed to wake her up for another half hour."
catch the eye
To attract attention. To be noticed. I can't believe I caught the eye of a real agent! This is finally my big break! I know that Tom is trying to catch the eye of some scouts tonight, but he could pass the ball once in awhile!
catch the sun
To get sunburned. I caught the sun at the beach last weekend, and now my back hurts so much that I have to sleep on my side! I made sure to pack you some extra sunscreen so that you don't catch the sun on your trip.
catch at (a) straw(s)
To make a desperate attempt to salvage a bad situation. It's almost sad to watch how poorly that candidate is doing in the debate. He keeps bringing up his previous successes in every answer, but clearly he's catching at straws. A: "But what about all those times I took the trash out when you hadn't even asked me to?" B: "That has nothing to do with why you're in trouble now, so stop catching at a straw."
mocking is catching
If one engages in mockery, it encourages others to do the same. A: "As soon as he started making fun of me, the other kids joined in too!" B: "Oh dear, mocking is catching, isn't it?"