gotcha
gotcha Lexical Profile
gotcha Game Scores & Validity
• interjection
Used in informal speech to indicate that one understands or acknowledges what has been said.
"Gotcha, I'll make sure the revised budget report is on your desk before noon."
Used to express triumph or satisfaction at having caught, tricked, or exposed someone in an error or deceit.
"Gotcha! You really believed that the office was closing for the entire month."
• noun
An unexpected trick, trap, or question intended to expose someone's ignorance, inconsistency, or wrongdoing, especially in politics or journalism.
"The candidate prepared carefully to avoid falling for a cheap gotcha during the live television debate."
A hidden problem, counterintuitive behavior, or unforeseen complication in a system, contract, or piece of computer software that easily causes errors.
"The programming guide highlights several common gotchas that new developers encounter when configuring the database."
Word Nuance & Usage
Often used attributively before a noun (as in 'gotcha journalism' or 'gotcha question') to describe interviewing or reporting tactics designed solely to trick a public figure into making a damaging mistake or contradicting themselves.
• Rhymes for gotcha
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the early 20th century as a phonetic spelling of the rapid, informal pronunciation of 'got you' (short for 'I have got you').