catch phrase

American  

Or catchphrase

noun

1. a phrase that attracts or is meant to attract attention.

2. a phrase, as a slogan, that comes to be widely and repeatedly used, often with little of the original meaning remaining.

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catch phrase British  

noun

1. a well-known frequently used phrase, esp one associated with a particular group, etc

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Etymology

Origin of catch phrase

First recorded in 1840–50; catch(word) + phrase

Example Sentences

The catch phrase “demographics is destiny” isn’t quite right.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

In mien, in dress, in catch phrase and in temperament.

From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2024

When did we last hear that catch phrase?

From Salon • May 14, 2024

"The catch phrase is always 'physics beyond the Standard Model,'" Gaskell said.

From Science Daily • Feb. 26, 2024

It was, perhaps, ten minutes afterwards that Edward Jackson went into the smoking room--"Scientific" Jackson, as they call him, because of the sort of catch phrase he is always using--"Give me science!"

From Between the Dark and the Daylight by Marsh, Richard