Phrasal verb
catch out
Definitions
01to expose a mistake or lie
B2 · Upper Intermediate British English
phr.v. to show that someone is doing something wrong or is not telling the truth.
phr.v. to detect or expose an error, inconsistency, or deception on someone's part. Transitive and often used in the passive voice.
“The interviewer managed to catch him out when he lied about his experience.”
“The auditor's meticulous review of the ledgers was designed to catch out any staff members who had been falsifying expense reports.”
Usage
Often used in the passive: 'to be caught out'.
02to surprise or trap
B2 · Upper Intermediate British English
phr.v. to put someone in a difficult situation because they were not prepared for something.
phr.v. to take someone by surprise, typically resulting in their disadvantage or embarrassment.
“The sudden change in the weather caught many hikers out without warm clothes.”
“Investors were caught out by the central bank's unexpected decision to raise interest rates ahead of the quarterly report.”
Usage
Frequently takes a direct object between 'catch' and 'out'.
Synonyms
03cricket
B2 · Upper Intermediate Sports British English
phr.v. in cricket, to get a player out by catching the ball before it hits the ground.
phr.v. to dismiss a batsman by catching the ball after it has been hit but before it touches the ground.
“The fielder ran quickly to the boundary and caught the batsman out.”
“The captain strategically placed a fielder at deep mid-wicket, hoping to catch out the aggressive opening batsman.”
Usage
Specific to the rules of cricket.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “catch out” in context.
Verb
01. catch out the candidate
“The interviewer tried to catch out the candidate with a series of complex technical questions.”
verb + noun
02. catch out the defense
“The striker's sudden change of pace caught out the defense, leading to an easy goal.”
verb + noun
03. catch out the witness
“The lawyer managed to catch out the witness in a lie during the cross-examination.”
verb + noun
04. easily catch out students
“The tricky wording of the exam paper can easily catch out students who do not read carefully.”
adv + verb
Adverb
05. completely catch out the staff
“The sudden change in policy completely caught out the staff, who were totally unprepared.”
adv + verb
06. frequently catch out tourists
“Hidden fees in the local restaurants frequently catch out unsuspecting tourists.”
adv + verb
Teaching tip
Focus on the 'surprise' element; it is often used when a person's lack of knowledge or preparation is suddenly revealed by a change in circumstances.
Phrasal verb
Particles
out
Separability
optional
Pattern
catch + object + out
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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