Tom caught Ann off guard and frightened her.
•She caught me off my guard, and my hesitation told her I was lying.
Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.
catch someone off guard — catch (someone) off guard to surprise someone. He s used to being interviewed and it seems that no question catches him off guard … New idioms dictionary
catch someone off guard — catch/take (someone) off guard to surprise someone by doing or saying something they were not expecting. One of the larger airlines caught its rivals off guard yesterday by suddenly announcing a cut in fares. When they asked me to babysit, I was… … New idioms dictionary
catch someone off guard — surprise someone, catch someone unprepared … English contemporary dictionary
catch sb off guard — catch sb off guard/by surprise ► to surprise someone and cause difficulty for them: »A lot of taxpayers will be caught off guard by their new tax liability Main Entry: ↑catch … Financial and business terms
catch sb off guard/by surprise — ► to surprise someone and cause difficulty for them: »A lot of taxpayers will be caught off guard by their new tax liability Main Entry: ↑catch … Financial and business terms
take someone off guard — catch/take (someone) off guard to surprise someone by doing or saying something they were not expecting. One of the larger airlines caught its rivals off guard yesterday by suddenly announcing a cut in fares. When they asked me to babysit, I was… … New idioms dictionary
catch off guard — catch (someone) off guard to surprise someone. He s used to being interviewed and it seems that no question catches him off guard … New idioms dictionary
off-guard — adjective surprised by something unexpected: catch someone off guard: The questions caught her completely off guard … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
off-guard — adjective not prepared or vigilant the blow caught him napping caught in an off guard moment found him off his guard • Syn: ↑napping, ↑off guard, ↑off one s guard, ↑off his guard, ↑off her guard … Useful english dictionary
off-guard — UK / US adjective surprised by something unexpected catch someone off guard: The questions caught her completely off guard … English dictionary
catch someone napping — CATCH OFF GUARD, catch unawares, (take by) surprise, catch out, find unprepared; informal catch someone with their trousers/pants down; Brit. informal catch on the hop. → nap * * * catch someone napping (informal) 1. To detect someone in error… … Useful english dictionary
