Catch one off guard Meaning in English
expression
ˈkætʃ/ /ˈwən/ /ˈɔf/ /ˈɡɑɹd
KATCH wun AWF GARD
kˈætʃ/ /wˈɒn/ /ˈɒf/ /ɡˈɑːd
KATCH WON OFF GAHD
Definition
To surprise someone when they are not prepared or not expecting something.
Usage & Nuances
This is an informal expression. Often used for unexpected events, questions, or actions. Can be used about emotions, decisions, or surprises. Common phrases: 'It caught me off guard', 'Don't let it catch you off guard'.
Spanish: tomar por sorpresa - pillar desprevenidoPortuguese (BR): pegar de surpresa - pegar desprevenidoPortuguese (PT): apanhar de surpresa - apanhar desprevenidoChinese (Simplified): 让某人措手不及 - 让某人意外Chinese (Traditional): 讓某人措手不及 - 讓某人意外Hindi: अचानक पकड़ लेना - अप्रत्याशित रूप से चौंका देनाArabic: يفاجئ شخصًا - يأخذ شخصًا على حين غرةBengali: অপ্রস্তুত অবস্থায় ধরাRussian: застать врасплохJapanese: 不意を突くVietnamese: làm ai đó bất ngờ - khiến ai đó không kịp trở tayKorean: 방심할 때 놀라게 하다Turkish: gafil avlamakUrdu: غافل پاناIndonesian: membuat lengah - membuat terkejut
Example Sentences
Her question caught me off guard.
basic
The storm caught us off guard.
basic
I was caught off guard by the news.
basic
She really caught me off guard when she showed up at my door.
natural
I was caught off guard by how difficult the test was.
natural
Don’t let their tricky questions catch you off guard during the interview.
natural