catch out

To surprise someone with something they were not ready for.

• The sudden rain caught us out.
• That difficult question caught me out.
• A sharp bend can catch out drivers.

Similar words: surprise, catch off guard

Common phrases: catch someone out, catch out drivers

To show that someone is lying, pretending, or giving false information.

• Your story will catch you out.
• The reporter caught the minister out in a lie.
• They tried to catch out the fake expert.

How to use it: catch someone out in a lie (Her questions caught him out in a lie.)

Similar words: expose, unmask

Common phrases: catch out a liar, catch someone out

To notice someone’s mistake or show that they have done something wrong.

• That spelling question caught me out.
• She caught him out on a small mistake.
• The police caught them out when their stories differed.

How to use it: catch someone out on something (The teacher caught me out on a spelling mistake.)

Similar words: catch, trip up

Common phrases: catch someone out, catch out a student

To end a batter’s turn by catching the ball they hit before it reaches the ground.

• The fielder caught him out.
• She was caught out near the boundary.
• Can they catch out the next batter?

Similar words: dismiss

Common phrases: catch someone out, catch out a batter