apuca Verb, apuca ▼ ▶

1. (transitive) to grab, grip, grasp, seize
2. (reflexive, somewhat, informal) to start, endeavour, begin to do something [+ de (object)]
   a se apuca de treabă: to get to work
3. (catenative, rather, informal) to get to do something
4. (transitive) to live to see something, either by living long enough or by being born early enough
   Copilul nu l-a apucat pe străbunicul său.

   The child didn’t get to meet his great-grandfather.
5. (transitive, now, uncommon) to have a tradition be passed down
6. (transitive, of a point in time, informal) to catch someone unready
   a îl apuca seara: to not be done by nightfall

   Pe constructori o să îi apuce iarna și tot nu o să fie gata.

   Winter will come and the builders still will not be ready.
7. (intransitive, or, transitive, _, with placeholder o) to head
8. (transitive, of a mental state or physical manifestation, informal) to come upon somebody
   a îl apuca plânsul: to start crying
9. (transitive, of an out of line behaviour, informal) to come upon somebody
   a îl apuca pandaliile: to throw a fit

   Te-a apucat să fluieri? Fă liniște!

   Did you suddenly think to whistle? Shut up!
10. (reflexive, obsolete) to take it upon oneself
11. (transitive, obsolete) to usurp, take for oneself

Appox. usage (any sense): 74.6 per million words