catch-as-catch-can

See also: catch as catch can

English

WOTD – 16 April 2016

Alternative forms

• catch as catch can

Pronunciation

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Adjective

catch-as-catch-can

1. (idiomatic) Only when possible or when the opportunity presents itself; intermittent.

   My efforts lately have been catch-as-catch-can, not carefully planned.

   • 1952, Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man, Penguin Books (2014), page x:

     My wife did indeed provide the more dependable contributions to our income while mine came catch-as-catch-can.

2. (wrestling) Relating to catch wrestling, a form of amateur freestyle wrestling.
   • 1980, Walter Armstrong, Wrestling, page x:

     In Lancashire and the north of Ireland, the catch-hold or catch-as-catch-can system still finds favour.

Adverb

catch-as-catch-can (comparative more catch-as-catch-can, superlative most catch-as-catch-can)

1. Ad hoc; in any way possible.

Related terms

• catch as catch can