gotcha

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English[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Univerbation of got +‎ you; also analyzable as got +‎ -cha/ya

Pronunciation[edit]

Contraction[edit]

gotcha (colloquial)

  1. Got you; have you; as in capture or apprehend.
    I gotcha now, ya little twerp.
  2. Understand you; comprehend you.
    Yeah, I gotcha. Good thinkin'!
  3. Got you covered, got your back; when you have an advantage or responsibility over someone.
    Gotcha! Go on in…
  4. Got you back; as in after causing some form of retaliation or revenge against someone.
    Gotcha! And don't ever do that to me again.
  5. Got you by surprise; exclamation indicating a successful trick or prank.
    Gotcha! They never notice the whoopie cushion!

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Noun[edit]

gotcha (plural gotchas) (colloquial)

  1. A potential problem or source of trouble.
    Review the work thoroughly and make sure there are no gotchas.
    1. (computing) 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.
  2. An instance of publicly tricking someone or exposing them to ridicule, especially by means of an elaborate deception.
    They change the number at random intervals and if you miss a sign. What a gotcha!
  3. An attempt to disprove or refute someone's argument, usually 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.
  4. 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.

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