catch a sneeze

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "catch a sneeze" is not a standard expression in English and may not be widely understood.
It could be used in a humorous or metaphorical context, perhaps to describe trying to prevent a sneeze or to imply catching something unexpected. Example: "He tried to catch a sneeze before it escaped during the meeting, but it was too late."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Poems that cough lightly -- catch a sneeze.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"When Wall Street sneezes, we catch a cold".

The New York Times

The giant US multinationals with European headquarters in Ireland – an astonishing list headed by Apple, Intel, Google and Facebook – would probably sneeze rather than catch a cold if Britain quit the EU.

The Guardian

If China sneezes, we all catch a cold.

Vice

But when you catch a cold, at least 10 other people sneeze across the globe, because you live in a country that is still the vanguard of personal well-being and individual liberty.

Forbes

When an economy sneezes, its trading partners catch a cold, as demand for their exports falls.

The Economist

This economic downturn will mark the first time that when America sneezes, Asia doesn't catch a cold.

Forbes

When American real estate sneezes, Europe's housing markets catch a cold.

Forbes

"So if Intel sneezes, Micron won't necessarily catch a cold," he says.

Forbes

"And you might ask if the US sneezes, won't the rest of the world catch a cold?

The Guardian - Business

If Washington sneezed there was a sense that the region would catch a cold.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you need to emphasize hygiene, focus on using tissues to prevent the spread of germs instead of using the phrase "catch a sneeze". State clearly that one should "cover their nose and mouth" or "sneeze into a tissue".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "catch a sneeze" literally, as it doesn't conform to standard English usage for describing hygiene or preventive actions related to sneezing. Instead, opt for clearer expressions that describe the proper way to cover or contain a sneeze.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "catch a sneeze" primarily functions as a phrase that combines a verb ("catch") with a noun phrase ("a sneeze"). Ludwig notes this is not a standard expression and may not be widely understood. It aims to describe an action related to sneezing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "catch a sneeze" is an uncommon and non-standard expression, as Ludwig points out, and is not widely recognized in English. While the phrase may be understood in a literal sense or used humorously, it's generally better to use more precise and common alternatives such as "stifle a sneeze" or "cover a sneeze", particularly when discussing hygiene or preventive measures. Based on Ludwig's analysis, the phrase lacks established grammatical correctness and consistent usage, making it less suitable for professional or formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stifle a sneeze

Focuses on suppressing the sneeze itself.

hold back a sneeze

Emphasizes the act of preventing a sneeze from occurring.

cover a sneeze

Highlights the action of physically shielding the sneeze.

prevent a sneeze

Addresses avoiding circumstances that cause sneezing.

block a sneeze

Indicates stopping the outward projection of a sneeze.

contain a sneeze

Describes keeping the sneeze within a limited area.

suppress a sneeze

Highlights the deliberate act of inhibiting a sneeze.

trap a sneeze

Implies capturing the sneeze before it can spread.

curb a sneeze

Focuses on controlling the intensity of a sneeze.

intercept a sneeze

Suggests stopping a sneeze mid-air or before it fully develops.

FAQs

Is "catch a sneeze" a common expression?

No, "catch a sneeze" is not a common or standard expression in English. It might be understood in a literal sense, but it's not a typical idiom or phrase.

What can I say instead of "catch a sneeze"?

You can use phrases like "stifle a sneeze", "cover a sneeze", or "block a sneeze" to describe preventing a sneeze from spreading.

How can I describe preventing the spread of germs when sneezing?

Instead of "catch a sneeze", focus on actions that prevent the spread of germs, such as using a tissue to "cover your mouth and nose" or sneezing into your elbow.

Which is more appropriate, "catch a sneeze" or "hold back a sneeze"?

"Hold back a sneeze" is more appropriate and commonly understood than "catch a sneeze". It clearly conveys the action of preventing a sneeze.