Catch 44

A catch-44 is a situation where funding and support is said to be available from government bodies however defining eligibility for the funding and how to properly articulate the application restricts access by those that most require it.

The term was coined by Hayden Stowell in 2015 in his frustration to establish eligibility for research and development funding from Callaghan Innovation, a Crown entity of New Zealand with the task of making New Zealand business more innovative.

This dilemma further exasperated the fast growing indigenous māori tech start-up community with other Crown entities following suit with confusing and poorly articulated application questionnaires combined with frustratingly inefficient systems to qualify and process submitted applications.

Although conceived in jest based on the paradoxical Catch 22 phrase, the seriousness and frequency of similar dilemma’s saw the phrase become widely adopted in other parts of the world. Catch 44 is now a widely used phrase to describe any situation where funding or valuable contracts have been promoted by either the government or public sectors, however securing them seems virtually un-achievable to all but a very select few for the reasons mentioned above.
"The state government constantly says how there is significant funding available for projects such as ours. The catch 44 is that it is virtually impossible to secure due to how complicated the application process is."
by Liddle_Razkal July 16, 2018
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Catching Heat

This refers to being in a situation where you realize that you are not wanted, or perhaps feeling pressure to do something that you'd rather not do. But the threat is not direct, it's just a feeling you get, usually from an undefined group of people. Sometimes that group of people are the cops, however, or some other collection of citizens that may have some power over you.
"I've been catching heat from the neighbors ever since I put up that Donald Trump flag in my yard."
by Simon Trinculo June 09, 2023
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catch those z's

I'll check you later. I'm about to go catch those z's.
by pinkpjs0624 March 26, 2011
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Catch my drift

When you get caught downwind of a fart
As I ran ahead of my friends, I farted and asked them “did you catch my drift?”
by Johnica February 01, 2023
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catch a SO

To catch a SO is the act of going out and finding a significant other. By using this slang, you are actively letting surrounding people know you are looking for love.
“Yeah I’m going out tonight, looking to catch a SO!”
by Purplepicklesfrightenme April 26, 2020
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To Catch a Predator

Show where Chris Hansen confronts men who have arrived at a sting house hoping to have a nice little date with a 12 year old girl
Chris: "Have a Seat, Please keep your hands where I can see them, Did you find the place OK?"

Pervert: "I'm not gay or anythin', I'm just sayin."

To Catch a Predator
by Lee Weatherall November 29, 2019
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