Not want to catch doing Meaning in English

expression

US

NAHT WANT/tuh/TOO KATCH DOO-ing

UK

not WANT too KATCH DOO-ing

Definition

This expression means that you would prefer not to see or discover someone doing a particular activity, usually something embarrassing, wrong, or private.

Usage & Nuances

Semi-formal, often used in negative constructions: 'you don't want to catch someone doing...' or 'I don't want to catch you doing...'. Usually implies the action is undesirable or private. Sometimes used as a warning or advice.

• Spanish: no querer atrapar haciendo - no querer pillar haciendo
• Portuguese (BR): não querer pegar fazendo - não querer flagrar fazendo
• Portuguese (PT): não querer apanhar a fazer - não querer surpreender a fazer
• Chinese (Simplified): 不想抓到（某人）正在做...的事
• Chinese (Traditional): 不想抓到（某人）正在做...的事
• Hindi: पकड़ते हुए नहीं देखना चाहना
• Arabic: ألا تريد أن تمسك (شخصًا) يفعل شيئًا
• Bengali: কাউকে কিছু করতে ধরে ফেলতে না চাওয়া
• Russian: не хотеть застать (кого-то) за (чем-то)
• Japanese: ～しているところを見つけたくない
• Vietnamese: không muốn bắt gặp (ai đó) đang làm
• Korean: ~하는 것을 붙잡고 싶지 않다
• Turkish: birini bir şey yaparken yakalamak istememek
• Urdu: کسی کو کچھ کرتے ہوئے پکڑنا نہیں چاہنا
• Indonesian: tidak ingin memergoki (seseorang) sedang melakukan

Example Sentences

You really do not want to catch your parents arguing.

basic

I would not want to catch anyone cheating in class.

basic

You would not want to catch your friend lying to you.

basic

Trust me, you do not want to catch your boss in an embarrassing situation.

natural

That’s something you would not want to catch your kids doing.

natural

You seriously do not want to catch the chef making a mess in the kitchen.

natural