👍 I understand 👍 To understand ❓ A tricky problem 🤏 To catch

getcha

1 9.9

A question or problem meant to catch someone off guard

noun
/ˈɡɛtʃə/

Slang

: pregunta trampa

When discussing his plans, she threw in a getcha about his past mistakes to catch him off guard.

But you try your gotcha thing because you're NPR and you're woke.

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Examples

You can't let life getcha down lad, you've got to stand up to her in the hind leg.

The Flim-Flam Man (1967)
During the interview, the unexpected question felt like a real getcha that made him hesitate.
The teacher's tricky quiz included a few getchas that surprised even the best students.

Synonyms

trick question

vsgetcha

18 5.3

A question that tries to confuse you with a surprising answer

is broader covering any surprise problem or question exposing weakness rather than only deceit

gotcha

vsgetcha

Literature

17 8.7

A question meant to embarrass or catch someone off guard

is a broader unexpected problem or question that exposes weaknesses in conversation or tests

booby trap

vsgetcha

1 6.6

A hidden problem that surprises someone and causes trouble

also covers conversation or test questions not only hidden physical traps

kitbag question

vsgetcha

9.9

A simple, unexpected question that surprises people and shows gaps

focuses on exposing weakness with unexpected problems or questions rather than being naive

Antonyms

straightforwardness

1 5.0

Being direct and honest without hiding what you think

How Tricky

stumper

2 9.3

getcha

Slang

1 9.9

trap

752 2.0

pitfall

35 4.8

Surface Forms

getcha singular

getchas plural

Morphology

getcha = get + you (semi-transparent) = get + cha

Derived from 'get/you' in the sense of 'I've got you' (I have caught you), but the noun meaning 'trick/question intended to catch someone out' is an idiomatic extension.

Etymology

Getcha as a noun comes from the quick phrase got + you, said as 'I got you' when someone is caught, so a getcha is a trick or question that 'catches' someone by surprise. That's why a getcha often means an unexpected problem or a test to expose a weakness.