caught their prey

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "caught their prey" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to hunting, predation, or metaphorically in situations where someone has successfully achieved a goal or captured something desired. Example: "The lioness stealthily approached and caught her prey, ensuring her cubs would have a meal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Once they have caught their prey, they select the finest furs and hides.

The New York Times - Arts

An ability to make maximum use of what remained probably explains the cougar's survival and the others' demise.Trophy huntingHow carnivores caught their prey is also shown by their bones, as Mairin Balisi and Caitlin Brown of the University of California, Los Angeles, explained to the meeting.

The Economist

The first jawed vertebrates caught their prey with bumpy gums or bony cutting blades made of so-called semidentine.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In response, predators also evolved more-effective ways to catch their prey.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Only about half the species build webs to catch their prey".

The New York Times - Science

Dr Silvestro explained: "The cats have retractable claws which they only pull out when they catch their prey.

Independent

These plants are instantly revealed as meat eaters by the traps they grow to catch their prey.

The Economist

This BBC series has billed itself as "an intimate and detailed look at the remarkable strategies employed by hunters to catch their prey and the hunted to escape".

Independent

In the ballet, which Robbins likened to the second half of "Giselle," the dancers catch their prey on a darkened stage that sits under a spider web.

The New York Times - Arts

The raptor flight-conditioning area will have enough space to allow hawks and owls to fly, swoop down and catch their prey while rehabilitating their wings.

The New York Times

Very Fast, Very Cool For at least 30 years, scientists have believed that cheetahs fail to catch their prey more often than other big cats because they overheat at high speeds.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "caught their prey" when describing hunting scenarios or competitive situations where one party successfully captures or obtains something. Ensure the subject and possessive pronoun match in number and gender (e.g., "The lion caught its prey", "The hunters caught their prey").

Common error

Avoid using incorrect possessive pronouns. Ensure the pronoun aligns with the subject's number and gender. For instance, it should be "The lion caught its prey" (singular) and "The lions caught their prey" (plural).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "caught their prey" functions as a predicate in a sentence, specifically describing the action of capturing prey. As confirmed by Ludwig, this action typically refers to a hunter or predator successfully capturing their target.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "caught their prey" is grammatically correct and serves to describe the act of capturing prey, whether literally in hunting scenarios or metaphorically in competitive situations. Ludwig AI validates the phrase's correctness and usability. While the phrase appears in news, scientific, and encyclopedia contexts, its usage remains relatively uncommon. When using the phrase, ensure correct pronoun agreement to maintain clarity. Related phrases include "captured their quarry" and "seized their target", offering alternative ways to express successful capture. The phrase functions as a predicate and conveys a sense of achievement or success in obtaining something after pursuit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

captured their quarry

Replaces "prey" with "quarry", emphasizing the act of hunting.

snared their victim

"Snared" implies trapping, changing the method of capture.

seized their target

"Seized" suggests a more forceful capture.

ensnared their target

"Ensnared" emphasizes the use of a trap or trick.

trapped their quarry

"Trapped" indicates the use of a deliberate trap.

nabbed their prize

"Nabbed" is more informal and implies a quick capture, while "prize" emphasizes the value of what was caught.

bagged their game

"Bagged" is specific to hunting and can sound colloquial.

ambushed their victim

"Ambushed" highlights the surprise element of the capture.

hunted down their quarry

Emphasizes the persistent pursuit involved in capturing the prey.

brought down their target

Suggests a larger, more challenging prey.

FAQs

How can I use "caught their prey" in a sentence?

You can use "caught their prey" to describe a successful hunt, as in "The eagles soared and caught their prey." It can also be used metaphorically, such as in "The company caught their prey in the competitive market".

What is a formal alternative to "caught their prey"?

A more formal alternative is "captured their quarry", which emphasizes the pursuit and successful capture of the target.

Is it always about animals when we say "caught their prey"?

No, it's often used metaphorically to describe someone achieving a goal or gaining an advantage, similar to how a predator successfully hunts. For example, “The lawyer "caught their prey" in the courtroom by presenting compelling evidence."

What does it mean when someone says they "caught their prey" in business?

In a business context, "caught their prey" suggests they successfully acquired a client, closed a deal, or outperformed a competitor. This usage implies a strategic and often competitive process.