catch out

verb

caught out; catching out; catches out

transitive verb

1
: to detect in error or wrongdoing
caught him out committing perjury
2
: to take unawares or by surprise

Examples of catch out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The 7-month-old Great Pyrenees pup tried to play it off casually when she got caught out, but there was no denying her mischief. Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024 The ferry linking its two main islands resumed services on Wednesday for civilians, allowing some people caught out by the storm to return to their families. Reuters, CNN, 18 Dec. 2024 Due to the 38-year-old insisting on his side playing out the back, Southampton have often found themselves being caught out by opposition and conceding goals as a consequence. Nnamdi Onyeagwara, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024 They are particularly known for their expert use of the offside trap that enjoyed resounding success catching out Kylian Mbappe in a 4-0 thrashing of Real Madrid in El Clasico at the end of October. Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for catch out 

Word History

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of catch out was in 1759

Dictionary Entries Near catch out

Cite this Entry

“Catch out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catch%20out. Accessed 16 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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