[catch] (a|) cold

to get sick with a virus that causes a runny nose, cough, and sore throat

I felt terrible yesterday; I caught cold after getting soaked in the rain.
She caught a cold after being out in the rain.
I hope I don't catch a cold from my coworker who's sneezing.
They caught colds during flu season.
He caught a bad cold and had to stay home from work.

to face problems and difficulties, particularly financial ones

The idiom "catch cold" likely originated from the idea that catching a cold can happen suddenly and unexpectedly, much like how unforeseen problems or difficulties can arise abruptly in life. Over time, extending metaphorically to represent facing unforeseen challenges or difficulties in life.

It was all going according to plan until we caught a cold and lost funding at the lab.
The film caught a cold over the outstanding debt.
The investors who have put up around $30 million could catch a cold.
You can make your competitors catch cold and make them not do what they would rather do.