catch death
catch (one's) death (of cold)
To become ill with the common cold. This phrase is often used hyperbolically. You'll catch your death of cold if you leave the house with wet hair—it's freezing outside! I hate going to the doctor's office—I always seem to catch my death after being around all those germs!
See also: catch, death
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
catch one's death (of cold)
and take one's death (of cold)Fig. to contract a cold, a common respiratory infection; to catch a serious cold. If I go out in this weather, I'll catch my death of cold. Dress up warm or you'll take your death.
See also: catch, death
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
catch (one's) death
To catch a cold or other illness.
See also: catch, death
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
catch one's death (of a cold), to
To become infected with a cold. This hyperbolic phrase, often used as a warning (“Wear your hat or you’ll catch your death”), dates from the late 1800s.
See also: catch, death
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- catch (one's) death (of cold)
- catch one's death (of cold)
- catch your death
- take (one's) death (of cold)
- you'll catch your death of cold
- take cold
- catch a cold
- catch one's death (of a cold), to
- Baby it’s cold outside
- baby, it's cold outside