catch a sign

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "catch a sign" is not commonly used in written English and may not be clear in meaning.
It could be used in contexts where one is trying to notice or understand a signal or indication, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "As I walked through the city, I hoped to catch a sign that would lead me to the right direction."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Where do you get them?" Charles asked, keeping his eye on the water, trying to catch a sign of movement from the rare creature.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I caught a sign along two-lane U.S. 75 that, proved irresistible to my curious urban brain: "Livestock Auction, 6 p.m".

The New York Times - Travel

Three days before the election, he caught a sign in bright MAGA red that declared "Trump Loves American People"—a lone beacon on a hill of desert sagebrush.

The New Yorker

He pled guilty every time he was caught, a sign many doctors took of incompetence.

Huffington Post

She caught a detour sign out of the corner of her eye.

Huffington Post

From Q Bar in Castro The Stud in SOMA and El Rio in the Mission, there's a spot on every corner to catch a drag show or sign your drunk ass up for a dance off (hope you win!).

Vice

Occasionally Mr. Peckolick paints windows with figures in them adjacent to the signs; in "The Astor Catch" a man leans out to catch a ball near a vertical sign that reads Astor in Art Deco lettering.

The New York Times - Arts

The sign did eventually catch a helicopter pilot's attention.

Los Angeles Times

Today (Radio 4) | iPlayer The Show What You Wrote (Radio 4) | iPlayer iPM (Radio 4) | iPlayer From the Sublime Wooden Overcoats Beef and Dairy Network Wednesday, 8.59am, and Jim Naughtie's voice catches a little as he signs off from Today.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Mr. Barbieri also catches a graveyard for old neon signs that lends a certain poignancy to this hard-bitten casino-rama.

The New York Times

Mr. Vincent felt a burst of relief that soon gave way to trepidation after he caught sight of a sign.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "catch a sign", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you mean physically seeing a sign, noticing an indication, or understanding a symbolic gesture.

Common error

Avoid using "catch a sign" when a more specific term like "notice", "detect", or "recognize" would provide clearer communication. The ambiguity of the phrase can lead to misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "catch a sign" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "catch" acts as the verb and "a sign" as the object. It signifies the action of noticing, perceiving, or understanding something. As per Ludwig, the expression is not a standard one, and therefore more specific words might fit better in most of the contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "catch a sign" is a phrase that signifies noticing or perceiving an indication, signal, or symbol. While grammatically acceptable, it is not a very common expression, and Ludwig suggests more specific alternatives might often provide better clarity. Its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal communications. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly reflects your intended meaning. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is not standard, suggesting careful consideration of alternative expressions for enhanced precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

notice a signal

Focuses on the act of becoming aware of a signal, emphasizing the perception aspect.

detect an indication

Emphasizes the discovery of an indicator through observation or analysis.

spot an omen

Implies recognizing a sign with prophetic or significant meaning.

recognize a symbol

Highlights the understanding of a symbol's meaning or representation.

perceive a hint

Underscores the subtle awareness of a suggestion or clue.

discern a trend

Focuses on identifying a pattern or direction in a series of events or data.

pick up on a cue

Suggests grasping a subtle signal or prompt, often in social situations.

glean an insight

Emphasizes the extraction of understanding from observation or information.

ascertain a symptom

Focuses on identifying a symptom or sign, often in a medical or diagnostic context.

identify a marker

Highlights the recognition of a distinctive feature or characteristic.

FAQs

What does "catch a sign" mean?

The phrase "catch a sign" generally means to notice or perceive an indication, signal, or symbol. It can also refer to physically seeing a sign. The specific meaning depends on the context in which it's used.

What are some alternatives to "catch a sign"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "notice a signal", "detect an indication", or "recognize a symbol".

Is "catch a sign" a common phrase?

No, "catch a sign" is not a very common phrase. More specific and widely understood alternatives are often preferred for clarity.

How can I use "catch a sign" in a sentence?

You might say, "I was hoping to catch a sign that would lead me in the right direction" to mean you were looking for an indication or clue.