How do you use "What's the Catch?" in a sentence?

Free holiday? What's the catch? What's the catch—there's always a catch. Sounds too good to be true. What's the catch? I'm offering you a promotion.' 'What's the catch?

What's the Catch?

Q: What does "What's the Catch?" mean?

What's the hidden downside or condition? Suspicious question about what disadvantage or condition comes with something that seems too good. Expects there to be a catch.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Meaning: What's the hidden downside or condition?

有什么陷阱？；隐藏的条件是什么？

¿Cuál es la trampa?; ¿cuál es la condición oculta?

何か裏があるの？；隠された条件は？

뭔가 숨겨진 조건이 있는 거 아니야?; 함정이 뭐야?

Suspicious question about what disadvantage or condition comes with something that seems too good. Expects there to be a catch.

对看起来太好的事物提出的怀疑问题，询问伴随而来的隐藏缺点或条件。预期会有陷阱。

Pregunta suspicaz sobre qué desventaja o condición oculta viene con algo que parece demasiado bueno. Espera que haya una trampa.

よすぎるように見えるものに対する疑り深い質問で、どんな欠点や条件が隠れているかを尋ねる。裏があると予想している。

너무 좋아 보이는 것에 어떤 단점이나 조건이 숨어 있는지 의심하며 묻는 표현. 뭔가 함정이 있을 거라고 예상할 때 사용한다.

Literal meaning: What is the catch (hidden problem)?

Examples

Free holiday? What's the catch?
免费度假？有什么陷阱？
¿Vacaciones gratis? ¿Cuál es la trampa?
無料旅行？何か裏があるでしょ？
무료 여행? 함정이 뭐야?
What's the catch—there's always a catch.
有什么陷阱——总是有陷阱的。
¿Cuál es la trampa?—siempre hay una trampa.
何か裏があるはず——いつもあるから。
함정이 뭔데——항상 뭔가 있잖아.
Sounds too good to be true. What's the catch?
听起来好得不像真的。有什么陷阱？
Suena demasiado bueno para ser verdad. ¿Cuál es la trampa?
うますぎる話だね。何か裏があるの？
너무 좋아서 의심스러운데. 함정이 뭐야?
I'm offering you a promotion.' 'What's the catch?
我给你升职。' '有什么陷阱？
Te ofrezco un ascenso.' '¿Cuál es la trampa?
昇進させてあげる。' '何か裏があるの？
승진시켜 줄게.' '함정이 뭔데?

Pronunciation

/wɒts ðə kætʃ/

Usage Guide

Context: suspicion, offers, skepticism

Tone: suspicious, questioning

✓ Do Say

What's the catch?
有什么陷阱？
¿Cuál es la trampa?
何か裏があるの？
함정이 뭐야?
There must be a catch.
一定有陷阱。
Debe haber una trampa.
裏があるはずだ。
뭔가 함정이 있을 거야.
OK, what's the catch?
好吧，有什么陷阱？
OK, ¿cuál es la trampa?
で、何か裏があるの？
그래서, 함정이 뭔데?

✗ Don't Say

Can seem cynical or untrusting
可能显得愤世嫉俗或不信任
Puede parecer cínico o desconfiado
皮肉屋や不信感があるように見えることがある
냉소적이거나 불신하는 것처럼 보일 수 있음
Sometimes appropriate caution
有时是适当的谨慎
A veces es precaución apropiada
時には適切な用心
때로는 적절한 경계심일 수도 있음

Common Mistakes

A 'catch' is the hidden problem or condition
Catch-22 is related concept

Origin & History

From hunting/fishing where a 'catch' can have hidden thorns or hooks. Extended to any hidden disadvantage accompanying an offer.

Etymology: From literal catch (problem, hook) hidden in offers

First recorded: Common English expression

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Common in advertising responses; Catch-22 (Joseph Heller novel)

Regional notes: Universal across English-speaking countries.

Variations

What's the catch?There's a catchNo catch