1 to catch a couple in the act (adultery, illicit sexual relations)
Idioms (8)
捉襟见肘
zhuō jīn jiàn zhǒu
1 lit. pulling on the lapels exposes the elbows (idiom)
2 strapped for cash
3 unable to make ends meet
捕风捉影
bǔ fēng zhuō yǐng
1 lit. chasing the wind and clutching at shadows (idiom); fig. groundless accusations
2 to act on hearsay evidence
撒网捕风
sā wǎng bǔ fēng
1 lit. the wind cannot be caught in a net
2 to waste one's effort (idiom)
瓮中捉鳖
wèng zhōng zhuō biē
1 to catch a turtle in a jar (idiom); to set oneself an easy target
2 a turkey shoot
螳螂捕蝉
táng láng bǔ chán
1 the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind (idiom, from Daoist classic Zhuangzi 莊子|庄子); to pursue a narrow gain while neglecting a greater danger
螳螂捕蝉,黄雀在后
táng láng bǔ chán , huáng què zài hòu
1 the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind (idiom, from Daoist classic Zhuangzi 莊子|庄子); to pursue a narrow gain while neglecting a greater danger
闭塞眼睛捉麻雀
bì sè yǎn jīng zhuō má què
1 lit. to catch sparrows blindfolded (idiom)
2 fig. to act blindly
关门捉贼
guān mén zhuō zéi
1 to catch a thief by closing his escape route (idiom)