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.
In December, Chelsea’s players looked inexplicably unprepared for the intensity of this long-time rivalry and were caught out via defensive errors. Cerys Jones, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026 Brugts struck the post after the interval as Barcelona regained its earlier dominance, only to be caught out when Kett leveled in the 69th. ABC News, 25 Apr. 2026 Askarov, perhaps sarcastically, said tipping over the net was his attempt to try and stop Rossi’s shot after he was caught out of position. Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026 Bolton was still sore Wednesday where the liner hit him, Espada said, but played catch out to 120 feet. Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 8 Apr. 2026 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 2 May. 2026.

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