Come again? (Informal)

[0232] I'm sorry, I didn't catch that

🎲 Could you explain that further?
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • A polite way to inform someone that you did not hear or understand what they said and implicitly request them to repeat it.

Origin

  • Combines a standard apology (I'm sorry) with the phrasal verb catch meaning to hear, perceive, or understand.
  • Standard polite conversational repair mechanism.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Could you repeat that? (See 0230)
  • Come again? (Informal, see 0231)
  • Sorry? / Pardon? / Excuse me?
  • I missed that.
  • What was that? (Informal)
  • It went over my head. (Means didn't understand, not just didn't hear)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Didn't get that.
  • Missed it.
  • That went right by me.

More Formal:

  • My apologies, I failed to comprehend that. (Very formal)
  • Would you mind repeating that? I didn't quite hear.

Blunt/Direct:

  • Repeat that. (Can be rude)
  • Speak up, I can't hear you. (Focuses on volume)

Situational Appropriateness

  • Appropriate in almost all situations, from casual to very formal.
  • It's considered polite and non-confrontational.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Extremely unlikely to be misunderstood. Its meaning is literal and clear.

Examples

  • I'm sorry, I didn't catch that. Could you say it again?
  • There was noise from outside, I'm sorry, I didn't catch that.
  • My mind was elsewhere for a moment, sorry, I didn't catch that.

Dialogue

Receptionist: Your appointment is scheduled for Tuesday at three fifteen.

Patient: I'm sorry, I didn't catch that time. Could you repeat it?

Receptionist: Certainly. Tuesday at three fifteen P.M.

Patient: Three fifteen. Got it, thank you.

Social Media Examples

  • (Comment on a podcast clip with background noise): Great point, but I'm sorry, I didn't catch that last sentence around 0:45.
  • (During a noisy video call): Participant A: Sorry everyone, I didn't catch that, the dog was barking.

Response Patterns

  • The speaker usually repeats their statement willingly.
  • Oh, sure. I said...
  • No problem. What I was saying was...
  • Sometimes they might speak louder or more clearly.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After saying I'm sorry, I didn't catch that:

  • The speaker usually waits expectantly for the repetition.

After hearing the repetition:

  • The speaker typically acknowledges it with Thanks, Got it, or Okay, I understand now.

Conversation Starter

  • No.
  • A response used when communication breaks down temporarily.

Intonation

  • Polite and slightly apologetic tone.
  • Often a slight rise at the end, implying the request for repetition.
  • Stress typically on catch. I'm sorry, I didn't CATCH that.

Generation Differences

  • Universal. Used across all age groups.

Regional Variations

  • Common in all major English-speaking regions.
Come again? (Informal)
🎲 Could you explain that further?