Catch and Release is when someone pursues a person eagerly, then loses interest as soon as that person commits or is won over.
Catch and Release borrows from fishing, where an angler catches a fish only to throw it back. In dating, it describes someone who loves the chase but not the catch.
The pattern is consistent. Intense pursuit, flattery, and effort up front, followed by a sudden drop in interest once the other person reciprocates.
For the catch and release dater, the appeal is the conquest. Winning someone over feels exciting, but the actual relationship that follows feels flat to them, so they move on.
Getting caught and released is jarring because the early energy felt so real. The shift is not about you, it is about a person who is hooked on the thrill of the start.
A useful sign is how someone acts once you show interest. If enthusiasm drops the moment you reciprocate, you may be dealing with a chaser rather than a partner.