The antonyms for the phrase "catching hold of" include releasing, letting go, losing, dropping, relinquishing, and surrendering. These words signify the opposite of grabbing or grasping tightly. Releasing means to set free or let go of something, while letting go means to release one's grip or give up on something. Losing refers to misplacing or failing to hold onto something, and dropping means accidentally letting go of something. Relinquishing and surrendering both denote voluntarily giving up something, with the former implying a sense of resignation and the latter suggesting a more deliberate decision.