gotcha

contraction, intj, noun — 10 senses

gotcha

contraction

UK /ˈɡɒ.tʃə/ · US /ˈɡɑ.tʃə/

Etymology From got + -cha.

1

Colloquial, Contraction, Pronunciation spelling Pronunciation spelling of got you.

  • I gotcha now, ya little twerp.
  • Yeah, I gotcha. Good thinkin'!

gotcha

intj

Etymology From got + -cha.

1

Colloquial I have got you covered, I've got your back (said by a speaker who has an advantage or responsibility over someone).

  • Gotcha! Go on in...
2

Colloquial I caught you (as when successfully bringing someone to reckoning or effecting some form of retribution).

  • Gotcha! And don't ever do that to me again.
3

Colloquial I got you by surprise (indicating a successful trick or prank).

  • Gotcha! You never noticed the whoopie cushion!
4

Colloquial I understand you or what you said.

  • Gotcha! You just want me to stay here for now.
Related terms
getcha

gotcha

noun

Etymology From got + -cha.

1

Colloquial A potential problem or source of trouble.

  • Review the work thoroughly and make sure there are no gotchas.
2

Computing, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Sciences Colloquial A feature of a system or a program that works in the way it is documented but is counter-intuitive and almost invites mistake or non-function.

3

Colloquial An instance of publicly tricking someone or exposing them to ridicule, especially by means of an elaborate deception.

  • gotcha question
  • They change the number at random intervals and if you miss a sign. What a gotcha!
4

Colloquial An attempt to disprove or refute someone's argument, usually (but not necessarily) in a deceptive or disingenuous way.

  • You're asking me a ridiculous hypothetical question that no one can reasonably answer. You need to stop with your gotchas.
  • The gotcha in your second paragraph needs more developing. You don't have enough evidence that the author is contradicting himself.
5

Colloquial An instance of accomplishing a tricky idea or overcoming a difficult obstacle.

  • Now here's another few gotchas that you can do to implement it.
  • Wireless was the first gotcha when installing the distro.
Derived terms
game of gotcha, gotcha journalism
Related terms
gotta, letcha, letchya, user-friendly

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.