The term that describes the transfer of free energy from catabolic pathways to anabolic pathways is known as energy coupling. It is important to note that chemical reactions behave in different ways. While some produce energy, other chemical reactions require energy to take place.
That said, catabolic pathways are the ones that produce energy, while anabolic pathways are the ones that require energy. However, the concept of energy coupling ensures the transfer of free energy produced during a catabolic reaction to an anabolic reaction.
That means you are using the energy produced by a system to facilitate another reaction that needs the energy. Due to the nature of this reaction, ATP is needed to boost the reaction. Energy coupling also facilitates some reactions in living organisms. For instance, living organisms use the ATP produced during catabolic reactions to fuel certain anabolic chemical reactions.