caught out for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "caught out for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone being exposed or discovered for a mistake or wrongdoing. Example: "He was caught out for lying about his qualifications during the interview."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Those dismissals came not long after Agar had been caught out for 98 to end Australia's innings.

The New York Times - Sports

Can it really be true that someone caught out for sordid, petty deception can feel the same way as someone else riding on the crest of triumph?

The Guardian - Opinion

We had disjointed line changes, we had defensemen caught out for two-minute shifts because we couldn't get out of our end.

The New York Times - Sports

It is the second time in this series of The Apprentice that somebody has been caught out for being economical with the truth.

The Guardian - Opinion

Norman Baker, the Lib Dem MP for Lewes who lobbied for more transparency on expenses, has been caught out for repeatedly late utility bill payments.

The Guardian

Joshua McGuire is completely persuasive as the rumpled writer (caught out for saying he loves Wolf Hall though his Kindle shows he got only to page 19).

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

The England Under-21 international earned applause for that save but less than 60 seconds later he was caught out of position for the opener.

Independent

Caught out of position for second goal.

The Guardian - Sport

It's all about the top two inches this afternoon – that one mistake, that one missed tackle, being caught out of position for a split second.

Independent

Jansen curbed his attacking instincts and penchant for getting caught out of position to turn in a convincing performance as a left-back while the South-Korean attacking midfielder Son Heung-min scored two excellent goals to defy his critics.

The Guardian - Sport

Most of us have found our minds wandering in important meetings, and I do find it difficult to feel any genuine anger towards Mills for getting caught out.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "caught out for" when you want to emphasize that someone has been discovered doing something wrong or making a mistake, especially when they were trying to avoid detection.

Common error

Avoid using "caught out for" in overly passive constructions that obscure who did the catching. Instead of "Mistakes were caught out for", specify who identified the errors to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "caught out for" primarily functions as a verbal phrase indicating that someone has been discovered in a mistake or wrongdoing. It emphasizes the exposure of a hidden fault or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Sport

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "caught out for" is a common phrase used to describe someone being discovered for a mistake or wrongdoing, especially when they were attempting to avoid detection. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, highlighting its prevalence in news and media contexts. Related phrases include "exposed for" and "discovered to be", each with slightly different connotations. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who did the catching, and avoid overly passive constructions. Be aware of this phrase's frequent use and its implication of concealed behavior being revealed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exposed for

Focuses on the act of revealing something hidden or negative.

discovered to be

Emphasizes the finding of something previously unknown, often with negative implications.

found guilty of

Highlights a legal or formal determination of wrongdoing.

unmasked as

Suggests a deliberate unveiling of someone's true, often negative, nature.

revealed as

Indicates that something or someone's true identity or actions have come to light.

shown to be

Implies a demonstration or proof of something, often something negative.

proven to be

Highlights that there is concrete evidence.

detected in

Suggests finding something through inspection.

identified as

Emphasizes the act of naming or recognizing someone or something, implying precision.

apprehended for

Specifically refers to being caught by law enforcement.

FAQs

How can I use "caught out for" in a sentence?

Use "caught out for" to indicate that someone has been discovered doing something wrong or making a mistake. For example, "The politician was caught out for accepting bribes".

What are some alternatives to "caught out for"?

You can use alternatives like "exposed for", "discovered to be", or "found guilty of", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "caught out by" instead of "caught out for"?

While "caught out for" specifies the reason for being caught, "caught out by" indicates the agent or method of discovery. For example, "caught out for lying" vs. "caught out by the surveillance camera".

What does "caught out for" imply about the person or thing being caught?

"Caught out for" implies that the person or thing was attempting to conceal something or avoid detection, and their actions have now been revealed.