transitive verb
1.
a. : to catch in a theft or offense of any kind
the Indian ate one of the loaves, and was … found out — Edward Clodd
b. : detect , discover
found out that he was divorced
: learn
the press found out and proclaimed his youthful sins
vainly tried to find out his name and occupation
2.
a. : to penetrate to the true character or identity of : penetrate the disguise of : unmask
if I tried to wear a halo and faked it, I'd be found out for sure — Jackie Gleason
afraid the truth would find them out — H.S.Reuss
b. : to bring retribution upon : visit with retribution
his sins have found him out
the fallacies in their doctrine and their own imperfect abilities have found them out — Time & Tide
intransitive verb
: to discover, learn, or verify something secret, unknown, or uncertain
you don't know for sure, and how are you going to find out