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.

The British-Latvian dual national is among those who say they have been caught out by upcoming changes to passport rules for dual nationals, which are due to kick in on 25 February.

From BBC

That caught out Palace, but has yet to be tested with one of the bigger clubs like Manchester United or Manchester City.

From BBC

Her skin colored with what I assumed was embarrassment at being caught out.

From Literature

Meanwhile, PSG have work to do to ensure direct qualification to the last 16 next week after being caught out late in Portugal.

From Barron's

"Whales may be easily deceived and caught out by the gently sloping tidal flats and a rapidly falling tide," it said in a statement on Thursday.

From BBC

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