It's possible you're thinking of "a catch in his voice", which is a common idiom that describes a slight change in someone's voice, often indicating emotion like sadness, fear, or nervousness.
Here's a breakdown:
* "Catch" refers to a brief, noticeable change in tone, often a momentary hitch or break.
* "Voice" simply indicates the speaker's vocalization.
So, "a catch in his voice" suggests that the speaker's voice has become slightly strained or altered, likely due to emotion.
Here's an example:
* "He told me about his loss, and there was a catch in his voice as he spoke about his wife."