catch a cold

health idiom

The phrase "catch a cold" is commonly used to describe contracting a mild viral infection affecting the upper respiratory tract. It also has a financial idiom usage.

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Definition

B1Health

(common)To become infected with a mild viral illness that affects the upper respiratory system.

Example

After walking in the rain without an umbrella, I caught a cold.

C1Finance

(idiomatic, informal)To experience a financial loss or setback.

Example

Many investors caught a cold during the market downturn.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "catch a cold":

get sick catch it catch a case come down with catch out catch the sun be sick catch on catch the bus go down with catch one's breath under the weather catch step chest cold catch a wave