Meaning
A sudden impulse, whim, or urge that comes over a person out of nowhere. To 'ketch a vaps' (catch a vaps) is to be seized by a spur-of-the-moment notion and act on it without planning — 'him ketch a vaps an quit him job'. 'Pon a vaps' means done on impulse. It captures the way a mood or idea can suddenly grip and move someone.
Examples
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Him ketch a vaps an book a flight to farrin.
He got a sudden urge and booked a flight abroad.
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She do it pon a vaps, no plan at all.
She did it on impulse, no plan at all.
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Nuh mek a big decision pon a vaps.
Don't make a big decision on a whim.
Origin
Of uncertain origin (possibly from 'vapours'); a sudden impulse/whim. See [[ketch]], [[bruk-out]].
How it’s used
A sudden impulse/whim; 'ketch a vaps' = act on impulse. See [[bruk-out]], [[gwaan]].