catch food

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "catch food" is not commonly used in written English and may not convey a clear meaning.
It could be used in contexts related to fishing or hunting, where one might refer to the act of capturing food from the environment. Example: "During our camping trip, we decided to catch food by fishing in the nearby lake."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

The result could hamper the whales' ability to catch food, she said.

The Guardian

The Silveiras chose B, obviously, and that means teaching their feline offspring how to catch food, live food.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In some species the larvae form webs of debris for protection, while others form a funnel-like web between stones in running water to catch food.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Their only option is to catch food with their tentacles — they are very small, so I have no idea how they do that," he said.

The New York Times

Participants wore gloves that turned their hands into different types of alien hands, which they could use to catch food in different environments.

Cornell University

Nerve-free animals do not respond to touch stimuli and so cannot catch food with their tentacles, but retain their ability to regenerate when cut in two, and can even reproduce by budding when force-fed.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

This is the third consecutive year that regulators have caught food producers selling goods that were apparently intentionally doctored with melamine.

The New York Times

Catching food in the Cretaceous period was tough enough but now factor in that you are moving at 20 mph underwater with a pair of tweezers for a beak!

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Entoprocts use a similar-looking crown of tentacles, but it is solid and the flow runs from bases to tips, forming a "downstream collecting" system that catches food particles as they are about to exit.

Wikipedia

Ruth Grau, the company's Australian co-owner, had told me that Bruny was the place to go for out-of-bounds Tasmania; inventive, organic, freshly grown or caught food; and some crazy animal species.

Los Angeles Times

Rock it from side to side between the impellers to try to loosen any caught food.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more specific verbs like "hunt", "fish", or "trap" if describing how an animal obtains food. This adds clarity and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "catch food" in contexts where a more precise verb would be more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "the fisherman tried to catch food", specify "the fisherman tried to catch fish".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "catch food" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "catch" is the verb indicating the action of capturing, and "food" is the direct object. Ludwig identifies it as acceptable but suggests more precise alternatives exist.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

24%

Science

24%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "catch food" describes the act of obtaining nourishment, generally by hunting or trapping. While grammatically sound, Ludwig indicates that it is not the most common or precise way to express this idea. More specific verbs like "hunt" or "fish" are often preferable, and synonyms like "acquire sustenance" may suit more formal contexts. While appearing in news, encyclopedias, and academic sources, it leans toward a neutral or even informal register. Remember to consider context and choose the most descriptive language to effectively communicate your meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

find a meal

Focuses on the act of locating food, often implying a single instance.

secure a meal

Highlights the effort and intention involved in obtaining food.

capture prey

A more direct term for catching animals for food.

obtain nourishment

A more formal and general way to describe getting the necessary substances for life.

acquire sustenance

Emphasizes the process of getting what is needed to survive.

forage for food

Implies searching for food in a wild or natural environment.

hunt for prey

Specifically refers to predatory behavior in animals.

get something to eat

A casual and common way of saying you will acquire some food.

snare prey

Implies the act of capturing prey using a trap or snare.

procure victuals

An archaic and formal term for obtaining food supplies.

FAQs

What's a more specific way to say "catch food" when referring to fishing?

Instead of "catch food", you can say "catch fish", which is more precise and common in that context.

Is "catch food" grammatically incorrect?

No, "catch food" isn't grammatically incorrect, but it's less common and can sound awkward. It's generally better to use a more specific verb or a more common phrase like "find food".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "catch food"?

You might use "catch food" when you want to generally describe the act of obtaining food without specifying the method, though even then, alternatives like "get food" are usually preferred.

What are some alternatives to "catch food" in a scientific context?

In scientific writing, consider using terms like "acquire nutrients" or "obtain sustenance" for a more formal and precise tone.