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Glossary entry

English term or phrase:

caught out

English answer:

to detect wrongdoing or error

Added to glossary by Masoud Kakouli Varnousfaderani
Sep 9, 2015 11:07
9 yrs ago
English term

caught out

English Art/Literary Poetry & Literature
And, visited somehow by the feeling that he had been caught out, he said abruptly:

"Er--can you give me the name of that tree?"
Responses
4 +2 to detect wrongdoing or error
3 +3 to be found out
4 got the feeling

Discussion

Yvonne Gallagher Sep 11, 2015:
@ airmailpl

"he had his morning paper clasped behind him" = "he" =Mr Tandram , the neighbour who has the paper NOT Mr Nilson who is the person "caught out". Mr Nilson is looking at the neighbour ("noticed") Mr Tandram (who has the paper) . I think that is extremely clear. I suggest you read it again more carefully
airmailrpl Sep 11, 2015:
how is this clear ?? >He was NOT "caught with his neighbour's paper" at all as airmail asserts...that much is clear ???

"Mr. Nilson noticed that he had his morning paper clasped behind him as he looked up at the little tree. And, visited somehow by the feeling that he had been caught out, he said abruptly"
acetran Sep 9, 2015:
@asker Agree with kelseydonk
Kelsey Donk Sep 9, 2015:
"Visited... by the feeling" can be read as having a thought. The thought or feeling visited/came/occured to him. The feeling is that he has been "caught" meaning discovered/suspected/found out.
Masoud Kakouli Varnousfaderani (asker) Sep 9, 2015:
does not match the context I think these definitions do not match the context. More context:
, Mr. Tandram, well known in the City, who had occupied the adjoining house for some five years. Mr. Nilson perceived at once the awkwardness of his position, for, being married, they had not yet had occasion to speak to one another. Doubtful as to his proper conduct, he decided at last to murmur: "Fine morning!" and was passing on, when Mr. Tandram answered: "Beautiful, for the time of year!" Detecting a slight nervousness in his neighbour's voice, Mr. Nilson was emboldened to regard him openly. He was of about Mr. Nilson's own height, with firm well-coloured cheeks, neat brown moustaches, and round, well-opened, clear grey eyes; and he was wearing a black frock coat. Mr. Nilson noticed that he had his morning paper clasped behind him as he looked up at the little tree. And, visited somehow by the feeling that he had been caught out, he said abruptly:

"Er--can you give me the name of that tree?"
Mr. Tandram answered:

"I was about to ask you that," and stepped towards it. Mr. Nilson also approached the tree.

"Sure to have its name on, I should think," he said.
Masoud Kakouli Varnousfaderani (asker) Sep 9, 2015:
Please note that this sentence is passive
Masoud Kakouli Varnousfaderani (asker) Sep 9, 2015:
visited would you please be kind enough to explain the what "visited" means in this context?

Responses

+2
8 mins
Selected

to detect wrongdoing or error

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/catch out

Visited means that the thought came to him.

The thought came to him that his wrongdoing or error has been detected, so he abruptly asked a question (maybe to hide)
Peer comment(s):
agree Jack Doughty
13 mins
Thanks Jack!
agree bestofbest
1 day 2 hrs
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
+3
52 mins

to be found out

he felt that he had been found out
or
more extreme - Busted!
Peer comment(s):
agree airmailrpl : got caught with his neighbor's morning paper..."Mr. Nilson noticed that he had his morning paper clasped behind him as he looked up at the little tree."
45 mins
Thank you!
agree Kelsey Donk : I agree. With the added context, it seems clear to me that he thinks he has been "caught" or "found out." As an American English speaker, I'm not sure I would use "caught out" in a sentence. I have a feeling this is a British text?
1 hr
Thank you!
neutral Yvonne Gallagher : Asker is looking for explanation, not just synonym. He was NOT "caught with his neighbour's paper" at all as airmail asserts...that much is clear
1 hr
agree Naomi Long
1 hr
Thank you, Naomi!
Something went wrong...
2 mins

got the feeling

he had the thought

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Note added at 2 mins (2015-09-09 11:10:04 GMT)
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visted=the thought/feeling came to him

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Note added at 33 mins (2015-09-09 11:40:25 GMT)
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sorry, concentrated on "visited" which you'd asked about in discussion

caught out= To be caught doing something one should not have been doing OR detected in some error that has been made

so he asks a question to try and cover the fact he's been detected/caught

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Note added at 35 mins (2015-09-09 11:43:05 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

so someone has seen him do something he shouldn't have done/be doing OR someone has spotted a mistake he has made.

need more context to know which it is here

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2015-09-09 12:08:12 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Thanks for context but it still isn't entirely clear.
I think his error might be that he has stared at his neighbour (who he is meeting/bumping into for the first time?). He is "Doubtful as to his proper conduct"=he doesn't know how he s supposed to react or talk and now he thinks maybe he hasn't reacted in the right way so he is trying to cover his confusion by asking a question (unless, of course, there is something in the paper his neigbour is holding about him?)
Something went wrong...
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