The phrase "catch drift" means to understand a hidden or implied message. The antonyms for "catch drift" would be to miss, misunderstand, or overlook the message. When someone cannot catch the drift, it means that they are unable to understand the underlying meaning of a statement or situation. For instance, if someone says they are fine but their tone implies otherwise, one must catch the drift to comprehend their true feelings. Conversely, if someone does not catch the drift, they might wrongly assume that the person is okay. In conclusion, catching the drift helps you to communicate better, whereas missing the drift can create misunderstandings.