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catch out

B2 informal separable transitive
In simple words

To find someone doing something they shouldn't, or to prove that someone is lying or wrong.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic informal

To discover that someone has been lying, cheating, or doing something wrong.

"The journalist caught the politician out by quoting his contradictory statements from two years ago."

Grammar: separable
2 B2 idiomatic informal

To find oneself in an unexpected and difficult situation that one was not prepared for.

"We were caught out by the sudden change in weather and had no coats."

Grammar: inseparable
3 C1 neutral

(cricket) To dismiss a batsman by catching the ball after it has been hit, before it touches the ground.

"He was caught out at slip for just twelve runs."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Chiefly British and Australian English. Often used in passive ('I was caught out'). Can also refer to being caught in an unpleasant situation you weren't prepared for. Also a cricket term for dismissing a batsman.

Commonly used with

lie mistake cheat bluff error trick

Forms

Base
catch out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
catches out
he/she/it
Past simple
caught out
yesterday
Past participle
caught out
have + pp
-ing form
catching out
continuous

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Synonyms

expose unmask catch trip up uncover detect

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