Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
catch-someone-in-the-act
idiom
/kæʧ ˈsʌmwʌn ɪn ði ækt/
Definition
To discover someone doing something wrong or illegal at the moment it happens.
Examples
- She caught him in the act of stealing her purse.
- The teacher caught the students in the act of cheating on the test.
- He was caught in the act while trying to sneak out of the house.
Meaning
This phrase is often used when someone is caught in the midst of committing an offense or wrongdoing, making it clear that the act cannot be denied.
Synonyms
- catch red-handed
- discover in the act
- catch someone off guard
