PHRASAL VERB 使原形毕露;抓住…的短处 To catch someone out means to cause them to make a mistake that reveals that they are lying about something, do not know something, or cannot do something. 使原形毕露;抓住…的短处 [mainly British]
Detectives followed him for months hoping to catch him out in some deception. [V n P prep]
侦探们跟踪了他几个月,希望能当场抓住他行骗。
He did not like to be caught out on details. [V n P prep]
他不喜欢在细节上被人抓住把柄。
The government has been caught out by the speed of events. [beV-ed P + by]