catch napping

Idioms and Phrases

Surprise, take unawares. This term is often used in the passive, as in The United States was really caught napping the day the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor . It originated in the mid-1500s as to be taken napping . Also see under off guard .

Example Sentences

But he was one of those wary old watch-dogs who are hard to catch napping.

From Project Gutenberg