Catch at a bad time Meaning in English
expression
ˈkætʃ/ /ˈæt/ /ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈbæd/ /ˈtaɪm
KATCH at uh BAD TIME
kˈætʃ/ /ˈæt/ /æɪ/ /bˈæd/ /tˈaɪm
KATCH at a BAD TIME
Definition
To contact, visit, or ask someone when they are busy or not ready to talk; to interrupt someone at an inconvenient moment.
Usage & Nuances
This is an informal, polite expression to apologize for contacting someone at an inconvenient moment. Often used as 'Sorry to catch you at a bad time.' It can also be used in the negative: 'Did I catch you at a bad time?' Avoid in formal writing.
Spanish: tomar en mal momento - pillar en mal momentoPortuguese (BR): pegar em um mau momento - pegar em uma hora ruimPortuguese (PT): apanhar em mau momento - apanhar numa má alturaChinese (Simplified): 在不合适的时候打扰 - 在不方便的时候找Chinese (Traditional): 在不合適的時候打擾 - 在不方便的時候找Hindi: गलत समय पर पकड़ना - असमय पकड़नाArabic: أزعج في وقت غير مناسبBengali: অসুবিধার সময় যোগাযোগ করা - অপ্রস্তুত সময়ে বিরক্ত করাRussian: не застать в подходящее время - беспокоить в неудобный моментJapanese: 悪いタイミングで連絡する - 都合の悪い時に声をかけるVietnamese: gặp đúng lúc không tiện - làm phiền lúc không thuận tiệnKorean: 불편한 시간에 연락하다 - 안 좋은 타이밍에 방해하다Turkish: kötü bir zamanda yakalamak - uygunsuz bir anda rahatsız etmekUrdu: غلط وقت پر رابطہ کرنا - نامناسب وقت میں بات کرناIndonesian: menghubungi di saat yang tidak tepat - mengganggu pada waktu yang kurang pas
Example Sentences
Sorry, did I catch you at a bad time?
basic
He called and caught me at a bad time while I was cooking.
basic
If I catch you at a bad time, let me know.
basic
"Hey, if I caught you at a bad time, I can call back later."
natural
"You always catch me at a bad time!" she joked.
natural
Let me know if I catch you at a bad time in the future.
natural