catch cold

Idioms and Phrases

Also, catch one's death (of cold) . Become infected with a cold virus, contract a bad cold, as in Jane manages to catch cold on every important business trip , or Put on your hat or you'll catch your death . The first term originally (16th century) meant becoming chilled by exposure to cold and took on its present meaning in the late 1600s. The hyperbolic variant, often shortened, is somewhat newer.

Example Sentences

It would have been great fun, if I had not been afraid papa would catch cold, and he said we would canter on to the inn.

From Project Gutenberg

"And Martha made you give her rum and water, mother, or else she would catch cold," added the son.

From Project Gutenberg

But do not hurry yourself, for I shall not catch cold, and my sweetheart does not care whether I have one or not.'

From Project Gutenberg

Sir, you may catch cold by going so soon into the air; you don't look, sir, as if you were perfectly recovered.

From Project Gutenberg

Cinny'll catch cold; she hasn't got enough clothes on; Cinny never has enough clothes on.

From Project Gutenberg