catch-as-catch-can

I. \\ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷\ noun (-s)

: a style of wrestling in which all holds are permitted except those that may be barred by mutual consent and in which a fall is gained by the contestant who pins his opponent's shoulders to the ground

II. adjective

: utilizing or exploiting any available means or method : unplanned, unsystematic

a catch-as-catch-can existence begging and running errands — Time

* * *

/kach"euhz kach"kan"/, adj.

1. Also, catch-can. taking advantage of any opportunity; using any method that can be applied: a catch-as-catch-can life, as an itinerant handyman.

adv.

2. without specific plan or order: They lived catch-as-catch-can.

n.

3. a style of wrestling in which the contestants are permitted to trip, tackle, and use holds below the waist. Cf. Greco-Roman (def. 3).

[1885-90]

* * *

catch-as-catch-canˈ noun

A style of wrestling in which any hold is allowed

adjective and adverb (esp N American)

Using any method that is available

• • •

Main Entry: ↑catch

* * *

catch-as-catch-can «KACH uhz _KACH KAN», adjective, noun.

–adj.

1. with no holds barred, unrestrained.

2. haphazard; random: »

Most of the other kids, in that easygoing atmosphere, took their schooling catch-as-catch-can fashion (New Yorker).

–n.

a style of wrestling in which a wrestler is allowed to hold or take down his opponent below the waist and to use the parts of his own body below the waist to take down his opponent or apply a hold. It is the common style of wrestling in the United States.

* * *

1.

n. archaic wrestling in which all holds are permitted

2.

adj. [attrib.] using whatever methods or materials are available

our catch-as-catch-can repair of fences