catch out

• Jemanden bei einem Fehler, einer Täuschung oder einem Wissensmangel ertappen, oft unerwartet; auch jemanden durch geschicktes Fragen zum Eingeständnis bringen.

A phrasal verb used to indicate discovering someone's mistake, deception, or lack of knowledge, often by surprise.

unzählbar · unregelmäßiges Verb · transitiv · Phrasal, trennbar

1. Discover a mistake or deceptioninformalbritish

   To detect someone in a mistake, lie, or wrongdoing, often by asking a clever question.

   Überführen

   • The teacher tried to catch the student out with a tricky question.
   • He was caught out when his alibi didn't match the facts.
   • The journalist caught the politician out in a lie during the interview.

   Synonymedetectdiscoverensnareexposetraptrip upunmask

2. Surprise or trap someoneinformalbritish

   To surprise someone in a situation they were trying to avoid or hide.

   Erwischen

   • She was caught out by the sudden rain without an umbrella.
   • The burglar was caught out by the security guard.
   • I was caught out by the unexpected question.

   Synonymecatchdetectdiscoverexposesurprisetraptrip upuncover

Grundverbcatch