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.
Perhaps caught out by the directness of City’s play, the near-side assistant referee was behind the play and did not flag for a handball. Matt Pyzdrowski, New York Times, 18 May 2025 However, this is one of those cars that feels like an inexperienced driver could be caught out by the amount of torque and speed available. James Morris, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025 Sorry to those of you who got caught out by the poker red herring of FLOP, TURN, RIVER and CARD. Kris Holt, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024 So after Ware was schooled, all too often caught out of position against the outside-inside game that resulted in a toxic case of pick your poison for the affable big man, the next chore is going back to school. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Catch out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catch%20out. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!