Pronunciation: [kˈat͡ʃ sˈa͡ɪt] (IPA) 
The phrase "catch sight" is spelled /ˈkætʃ saɪt/. The "ch" sound is voiceless and pronounced as /tʃ/. The "a" sound in "catch" is pronounced as /æ/. The "i" sound in "sight" is spelled as /saɪt/. When two consonants come together like "t" and "c" in "catch", they form a blend. Similarly, in "sight", the "gh" is silent, and the "t" and "s" also form a blend, with the "s" pronounced as /s/.
Catch sight means to suddenly notice or see something or someone, often by chance or accident. It involves the act of perceiving something with one's eyes that was previously unseen or unnoticed. This phrase implies a sense of surprise or unexpectedness upon noticing the object or person. When someone catches sight of something, they may stop or pause momentarily to observe or examine it more closely.
This phrase can also be used in the context of catching a glimpse of someone or something in passing or from a distance. It suggests a brief or fleeting observation, as though the person or thing being noticed was not intended to be seen or was not initially within the individual's field of vision.
"Catch sight" can be used in various situations, such as spotting a familiar face in a crowded room, noticing a beautiful sunset while driving, or glimpsing an interesting object in a shop window. It emphasizes the act of perceiving something visually, highlighting the suddenness or unexpectedness of the observation.
Overall, "catch sight" is a phrase that describes the act of noticing or seeing something or someone that was previously unseen or unnoticed, often with a sense of surprise or suddenness.
The etymology of the phrase "catch sight" can be traced back to the Middle English period. The word "catch" was derived from Old North French "cachier" meaning "to seize, to capture" or Old English "caeccean" meaning "to capture, to trap". It eventually evolved to mean "to perceive, to take in" in its current context.
The word "sight" originates from the Old English noun "siht" which meant "act of seeing, presence of an object of vision". It came from the Proto-Germanic word "*sihtiz" which also referred to sight or vision.
When combined, "catch sight" refers to the act of suddenly perceiving or noticing something with one's eyes, as if capturing it visually.
