catch the habit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "catch the habit" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to develop a habitual behavior or to adopt a certain pattern of behavior or thinking. Example: "She needs to catch the habit of exercising every morning for better health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Even visitors quickly catch the habit.

The New York Times - Sports

What can be hard is to catch the habit, especially when you've been eating processed foods for a long time, or you're used to hitting the drive-through after a long day of work.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I grew up in a town without a cinema and never caught the habit, though I have worked in the movies.

The New Yorker

He points out that whereas white colonial adventurers in the New World responded to the myth of the noble savage, romanticised by Rousseau, Africa held no such attractions, it was regarded as 'the Lapland of the South.' Foreign travellers vilified the Hottentots and were scandalised by the idle white man who appeared to have caught the habit of indolence from his serfs.

The Guardian - Books

If they do not catch the BBC habit early, they may not pay the licence fee when they grow up.

The Guardian

This was disproved in the Kaiser study; even so, careful choice of screen and content can be a facilitator -- interactive eBooks may help children catch the reading habit; innovative apps like "Google Goggles" or the augmented reality game "Hidden Park" can add adventure to outdoor play.

Huffington Post

43 In addition to using a more traditional tool to evaluate adherence to healthy habits by using two a priori scores, our study approached overall diet as a combination of healthy and less healthy foods with an a posteriori approach which is able to catch the real dietary habits of people and accounts for correlations between score components.

BMJ Open

MSNBC's Joe Scarborough has made it a regular habit to catch the vapors on air after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticized the Central Intelligence Agency.

Huffington Post

I am yet to find a tiny, oblong trash bin to catch the byproduct of my imperfect eating habits.

TechCrunch

Some are even changing their dining habits, to make sure that they can catch the soap at its earlier time.

The New York Times

My viewing habits were formed by staying with BBC1 after Blue Peter to catch the latest episode of Neighbours.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "catch the habit", consider the context to ensure it accurately reflects the gradual adoption of a behavior or mindset. It's best suited for situations where the habit develops organically over time.

Common error

Avoid using "catch the habit" when describing a deliberate and planned effort to create a new habit. Phrases like "develop a habit" or "form a routine" are more appropriate in those scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "catch the habit" functions as a verb phrase, describing the process of acquiring a new habit or behavior. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. Examples show it used to describe adopting both positive and negative habits.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "catch the habit" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the gradual acquisition of a new habit or behavior. As Ludwig AI explains, it's suitable for describing both positive and negative habits. While not overly formal, it is appropriate for news articles, general discussions, and other writing contexts. The frequency of this phrase is relatively rare compared to similar expressions like "develop a habit" or "form a routine". The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cultivate a habit

Implies deliberately fostering and nurturing a habit.

form a routine

Emphasizes the establishment of a regular pattern of behavior.

become accustomed

Suggests gradual adaptation to something, often a new environment or condition.

develop a knack

Focuses on acquiring a natural talent or skill, not necessarily a routine.

fall into a pattern

Describes the often unintentional development of a recurring behavior.

inculcate a habit

Instilling a habit in someone through repetition or instruction.

acquire a taste

Highlights the gradual development of liking something.

embrace a practice

To enthusiastically adopt or accept a particular activity or method as part of one's life or routine.

get into the swing of things

Implies becoming comfortable and efficient with a new situation or task.

pick up the thread

Returning to a habit or train of thought after an interruption.

FAQs

How can I use "catch the habit" in a sentence?

You can use "catch the habit" to describe how someone gradually adopts a behavior or mindset. For example, "Living in the countryside, she soon "caught the habit" of waking up early to enjoy the sunrise."

What's a good substitute for "catch the habit"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "develop a knack", "form a routine", or "become accustomed".

Is it correct to say "caught the habit"?

Yes, "caught the habit" is the past tense form and is grammatically correct when referring to a habit that has already been adopted. For example, "He "caught the habit" of drinking coffee every morning after starting his new job."

What is the difference between "catch the habit" and "develop a habit"?

"Catch the habit" implies a more passive or gradual adoption, while "develop a habit" suggests a more conscious and intentional effort to form the habit.