Catch something that keeps time, when starting late! (4)
I believe the answer is:
lock
'catch' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for lock that I've seen before include "Clasp" , "detail of shock?" , "Strand(s) of hair" , "Security device - bit of hair" , "Strand of hair" .)