make someone hard to catch

Definitions

To get rid of someone, especially in an unpleasant way.

colloquial, dated

Examples

“I hope⟳ that we have⟳ no such men in Local No. 163. If we have⟳, we will make⟳ them hard to catch⟳ when we find⟳ them out.”

“Then the boss stuck up a sign⟳ that said: / Public Water-hole. Water Free. / "Now you old skin," says he to Texas Pete, "charge all you want⟳ to on your own⟳ property. But if I ever hear⟳ of your layin' claim⟳ to this other hole, I'll sure make⟳ you hard to catch⟳."”

“She says he understands her; an' first thing her an' Crabapple gets to arguin' religion, an' Liz, she warns the Crabapple if he ever gets drunk round the parson, an' she gets well an' finds it out, she'll shore make⟳ him hard to catch⟳.”

“I'm going to be there, myself, and I'm going to borrow that pistol that you stuck in my ribs the other night; and the first yap that touches a corner or crosses my line I'll make⟳ him hard to catch⟳.”

“But there'll be four of us to take⟳ care of Purdy's men before you show⟳ up in Arguello. We'll make⟳ them hard to catch⟳.”

CEFR level