Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

be-caught-in-the-act

idiom
/biː kɔːt ɪn ðə ækt/
Definition
To be discovered while committing a wrongdoing or an inappropriate act.
Examples
  • After months of suspicion, he was finally caught in the act of cheating during the exam.
  • She walked in on her brother and caught him in the act of stealing cookies from the jar.
  • The surveillance camera showed the thief being caught in the act as he was attempting to break into the car.
Meaning
This phrase is often used when someone is caught doing something they shouldn’t be doing, especially at the moment they are doing it.
Synonyms
  • caught red-handed
  • discover doing
  • busted