Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Veravera]

You're like a lint tray.What's happening back here?
What does "lint tray"mean?

There's always a catch.
What does "catch" refer to?

Thanks!

[LucentShade]

I'm not sure what they mean by "lint tray" because I don't know what else is happening in the sentence...a lint tray is a part of a clothes dryer that catches small pieces of fabric that come loose from clothes while the dryer is operating. Maybe the sentence is saying, "You're really dirty."

A "catch" is a hidden bad side of something, or an unexpected condition in an agreement. For instance, there's always a catch in those "Free iPod!" offers on the Internet--maybe you have to pay some money, or fill out a survey, or send e-mail to your friends...any of those would be a "catch." So basically, it's something bad that can "catch" you. (A "catch" can also refer to something brought in from hunting or fishing, but in the sentence you posted, it means "hidden negative aspect" like the first definition that I gave.)

[Veravera]

Thank you very much ,LucentShade.

[Bob S.]

A catch is also something you don't normally notice but inconveniently grabs you.
E.g.:
A: That's a nasty tear on your shirt-sleeve.
B: Yeah, I snagged it on a catch sticking out of my office desk.