Definition: To surprise someone by doing or saying something unexpected. The phrase to catch someone off guard means to surprise someone in a way he or she was not expecting.
What does it mean when you get caught off guard?
Not watchful, easily surprised. It is often put as catch (or be caught) off guard, meaning “take (or be taken) by surprise.” For example, The securities analyst was caught off guard by that financial report, or With any luck the boss will be off guard when I come in late.
What do you do when someone catches you off guard?
4 Steps for When Tough Feedback Catches You Off Guard
- Collect yourself. Breathe deeply and notice how you’re feeling. …
- Understand. Ask the other person for details about, and examples of, the behavior they’ve highlighted. …
- Recover. Tell the person that you need to reflect and that you’ll respond when you can. …
- Engage.
How do you say caught off guard?
synonyms for catch off-guard
- startle.
- ambush.
- bushwhack.
- capture.
- discover.
- nab.
- seize.
- take.
Is it bad to catch someone off guard?
Caught Off Guard Meaning
Definition: To surprise someone by doing or saying something unexpected. The phrase to catch someone off guard means to surprise someone in a way he or she was not expecting. It can be used in positive, negative, and neutral contexts. It is unclear when this idiom was first used.
Should I be on my guard meaning?
C2. to be careful to avoid being tricked or getting into a dangerous situation: You always have to be on your guard against pickpockets. Paying attention and being careful.
How do you catch someone off guard?
How To Catch People Off Guard
- Unnecessary yodeling mid-day in the piazza.
- Waiting approximately three seconds before responding to anything. …
- Taking a deep, loud breath in and then sprinting down three stairs at a time in Dodge. …
- Quoting yourself when talking to people.
How do I stop being caught off guard?
You can’t stop yourself from being caught off-guard in every instance. You can practice your response, your comment, your facial expression and your breathing for the times you are caught off-guard. More importantly, you have to keep reminding yourself you are in control of you.
Was caught off guard in a sentence?
Example sentences
— We were all caught off guard when the teacher told us we were having a pop quiz. — My mom was caught off guard when my 15 year old brother announced his girlfriend was pregnant. — You caught me off guard last night when you said you were moving to the West Coast. I’ll really miss you when you move.
What is a unwary mean?
: not alert : easily fooled or surprised : heedless, gullible cheats unwary tourists. Other Words from unwary Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About unwary.
What is a simile for taken by surprise?
synonyms for take by surprise
beat. befall. engulf. outdistance. outdo.
What’s a synonym for Shocked?
flabbergasted, freaked (out), stunned, stupefied.
What is caught red handed means?
: in the act of committing a crime or misdeed caught red-handed.
What is the definition for unprepared?
: not ready to deal with something : not prepared. See the full definition for unprepared in the English Language Learners Dictionary. unprepared. adjective. un·pre·pared | ˌən-pri-ˈperd