catch+by+surprise
11surprise — vb 1 Surprise, waylay, ambush are comparable when they mean to attack unawares. Surprise is in military as well as in general use. As a technical term it implies strategy in the disposition and movement of troops and equipment and secrecy in the… …
12catch — vb 1 Catch, capture, trap, snare, entrap, ensnare, bag are comparable when meaning to get into one s possession or under one s control either by taking or seizing or by means of skill, craft, or trickery. Catch, the ordinary and general term of… …
13catch 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 …
14catch — [n1] fastener bolt, buckle, clamp, clasp, clip, hasp, hook, hook and eye, latch, snap; concept 497 catch [n2] trick, hidden disadvantage Catch 22, conundrum, deception, decoy, drawback, fly in the ointment*, hitch, joke, puzzle, puzzler, snag,… …
15catch 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… …
16catch someone unawares — catch/take/someone unawares phrase to surprise someone, often making them feel confused or embarrassed Burchill’s shot caught the goalkeeper completely unawares. Thesaurus: to make someone feel shocked or surprisedsynonym Main entry: unawares …
17catch one's breath — {v. phr.} 1. To breathe in suddenly with fear or surprise. * /The beauty of the scene made him catch his breath./ Compare: TAKE ONE S BREATH AWAY. 2a. To rest and get back your normal breathing, as after running. * /After running to the bus stop …
18catch one's breath — {v. phr.} 1. To breathe in suddenly with fear or surprise. * /The beauty of the scene made him catch his breath./ Compare: TAKE ONE S BREATH AWAY. 2a. To rest and get back your normal breathing, as after running. * /After running to the bus stop …
19surprise — sur·prise n 1: a condition or situation in which a party to a proceeding is unexpectedly placed without any fault or neglect of his or her own and that entitles the party to relief (as a new trial) 2: an aspect of procedural unconscionability… …
20catch one's breath — Ⅰ. ► catch one s breath 1) cease breathing momentarily in surprise or fear. 2) rest after exercise to restore normal breathing. Main Entry: ↑breath Ⅱ. ► catch one s breath 1) draw one s breath in sharply …
