prendere al varco

Italian

Verb

prèndere al varco (first-person singular present prèndo al varco, first-person singular past historic prési al varco, past participle préso al varco, auxiliary avére)

1. to catch (an animal) by surprise when out in the open
2. (figurative, by extension) to catch (someone) by surprise in a difficult situation; to put on the spot