PHRASAL VERBS WITH CATCH — EXERCISE 1 (ESL)
C1–C2 · AdvancedCatch combines with a surprisingly wide range of particles. Some combinations—like catch up—are among the most common in everyday English, while others are more idiomatic. Definitions are provided in brackets throughout.
Choose the correct preposition or particle to complete each of the following sentences.
1.Let's catch ________ over coffee tomorrow.
Correct answer: up — catch up = meet someone and spend time together after a period apart.
2.He caught ________ ( = realized) that they were trying to trick him.
Correct answer: on — catch on = begin to understand a situation.
3.Robert was running ahead of the pack at first, but then the other runners caught ________ with him.
Correct answer: up — catch up with = reach the same level or position as someone ahead.
4.The fad caught ________. = The fad became popular.
Correct answer: on — catch on = become fashionable or popular.
5.The baby caught ________ my pants as I walked past.
Correct answer: at — catch at = grab or snatch at something.
6.He didn't understand at first, but then he began to catch ________.
Correct answer: on — catch on = start to understand.
7.He managed to catch up ________ ( = to get up to date with) his work.
Correct answer: on — catch up on = deal with something you have fallen behind on.
8.Michael was caught up ________ that scandal. = Michael was involved in that scandal.
Correct answer: in — be caught up in = be involved in something, often unwillingly.
9.Adrian thought he was being clever, but his girlfriend caught him ________ (= found out he had done something wrong).
Correct answer: out — catch someone out = discover that someone has done something wrong or made a mistake.
10.Slow down! I can't catch ________ with you!
Correct answer: up — catch up with = reach someone who is ahead of you.
KEEP PRACTICING — MORE EXERCISES FOR YOU:
More phrasal verb exercises:
Phrasal verbs with get 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs with get 2 (C1/C2)
Mixed phrasal verbs 1 (B1/B2)
Mixed phrasal verbs 2 (B1/B2)
Phrasal verbs with break 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs with call 1 (C1/C2)
Related preposition & idiom exercises:
Prepositions: antonyms 1
Prepositions in idioms 1 (B1/B2)
Prepositions in idioms 2 (B1/B2)
Prepositions with phrasal verbs 1 (B1/B2)
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Prepositions after adjectives 2 (B1/B2)
Browse all phrasal verb exercises →
More phrasal verb exercises:
Phrasal verbs with get 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs with get 2 (C1/C2)
Mixed phrasal verbs 1 (B1/B2)
Mixed phrasal verbs 2 (B1/B2)
Phrasal verbs with break 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs with call 1 (C1/C2)
Related preposition & idiom exercises:
Prepositions: antonyms 1
Prepositions in idioms 1 (B1/B2)
Prepositions in idioms 2 (B1/B2)
Prepositions with phrasal verbs 1 (B1/B2)
Prepositions after adjectives 1 (B1/B2)
Prepositions after adjectives 2 (B1/B2)
Browse all phrasal verb exercises →
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