catch out

British

verb

informal (tr, adverb) to trap (a person), esp in an error or doing something reprehensible

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He seems to have been caught out by the unexpected move from Rachel Reeves to do what he had asked and ditch her long-held fiscal rules.

From BBC

A lorry driver who claimed a coughing fit caused him to drift on to the wrong side of the road and crash into another HGV was caught out, because his dashcam was also recording audio.

From BBC

It reported adjusted earnings of $2.1 billion compared with $1.7 billion in the prior quarter when traders were caught out by volatility.

From The Wall Street Journal

"After all, you don't want to be caught out when you're supposed to be having a relaxing time on holiday."

From BBC

A hit-and-run driver who struck and seriously hurt a road worker after a 130mph police chase tried to blame his ex-partner in a bungled cover-up before being caught out by a Ring doorbell.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023