catch the carriage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "catch the carriage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of boarding or getting on a carriage, typically in a historical or transportation context. Example: "We need to hurry if we want to catch the carriage to the city before it leaves."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

When Miss Jemima stayed hereabouts, she was up at 4.30am to catch the carriage to Spiez, in order to meet the steamer crossing Lake Thun.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

You know how the horses that pull the carriages in Central Park have those bags under their asses to catch the shit as it falls?

Vice

And at 4 15 a.m. on Tuesday on BBC America, early risers can catch the queen and Prince Philip as they attend a service of thanksgiving at St . Pauls Cathedral, followed by a carriage procession.

The New York Times

On Tuesday at 3 30 a.m. early risers can catch the queen and Prince Philip as they attend a service of thanksgiving at St . Pauls Cathedral, followed by a formal carriage procession.

The New York Times

Other images in the book, some printed many years later, when Stieglitz was thoroughly modern, reveal that his lens also caught the back of the carriage after it passed.

The New York Times - Arts

On the two-carriage train between Sunderland and Darlington in the north-east of England, only one advert catches the eye.

The Economist

These are securely anchored at one end and have a steel Catch Tube at their other ends which is caught by the Bobsleigh carriage as it passes and as the cords extend the bobsleigh comes to rest.

Engineering Failure Analysis

I get to know the carriage horses.

The New York Times

Johnny get DOWN from the carriage".

Huffington Post

Jane catches a last glimpse of Tom through the carriage window as he briefly follows, the horses outpacing him.

Wikipedia

As the carriage passes by him, a woman flings a bundle to him; he catches it and finds it a pink and white bit of humanity.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "catch the carriage" when referring to historical contexts or situations where horse-drawn carriages are the primary mode of transport to evoke a sense of historical setting.

Common error

Avoid using "catch the carriage" in contemporary settings unless you are intentionally creating a humorous or anachronistic effect. In modern contexts, use "catch the bus" or "catch the train" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "catch the carriage" functions as a verb phrase, where "catch" is the verb indicating the action of intercepting or boarding, and "the carriage" is the object, specifying what is being caught. This is supported by the example in Ludwig, where it describes someone needing to "catch the carriage to the city before it leaves."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "catch the carriage" is a grammatically sound phrase that evokes a sense of historical transportation. As noted by Ludwig, it’s correct and usable in English, primarily in contexts related to past eras or fictional narratives. While its frequency is rare in modern discourse, it effectively conveys the act of intercepting or boarding a horse-drawn carriage. The primary contexts where this phrase might appear include News & Media, Wiki, and Science. When writing, be mindful of the potential for anachronistic usage and consider modern alternatives like "get a ride" in contemporary settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

board the carriage

Replaces "catch" with "board", emphasizing the act of getting onto the carriage.

get on the carriage

Uses a more common and straightforward verb "get on" instead of "catch".

take the carriage

Emphasizes the utilization of the carriage as a means of transportation.

hail the carriage

Implies summoning or signaling for a carriage, similar to hailing a taxi.

secure a carriage

Highlights the act of obtaining or reserving a carriage.

intercept the carriage

Suggests a more active or deliberate act of meeting or stopping the carriage.

flag down the carriage

Similar to "hail", but more descriptive, indicating a visible signal to stop the carriage.

snag the carriage

Informal alternative, suggesting quickly or opportunistically getting the carriage.

catch a ride in the carriage

Adds the element of "ride", clarifying the purpose as transportation.

make it to the carriage

Focuses on the effort required to reach the carriage in time.

FAQs

What does "catch the carriage" mean?

To "catch the carriage" means to arrive in time to board or use a horse-drawn carriage. It often implies a sense of urgency or historical context.

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

It's appropriate when referring to a time when carriages were a common mode of transportation, or when trying to evoke a historical or old-fashioned setting. In modern contexts, phrases like "catch the bus" or "catch the train" are more suitable.

What are some alternatives to "catch the carriage" in modern contexts?

Modern alternatives include "get a ride", "take a taxi", or using the specific mode of transport like "catch the bus" or "catch the train".

Is "catch the carriage" grammatically correct?

Yes, "catch the carriage" is grammatically correct. However, its usage is limited to specific historical or fictional contexts. In most contemporary situations, other phrases are more appropriate.