off guard

Idioms  

1. Also, off one's 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. [Late 1600s] The antonym, on guard or on one's guard, meaning “watchful or prepared, especially to defend oneself,” was first recorded in 1577. For example, In this crowd we must be on guard against pickpockets, or I'm always on my guard when I'm asked how I voted.

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Example Sentences

Her question caught me off guard, even though it shouldn’t have.

From Literature

Investors were caught off guard by the war, and Fed Chair Jerome Powell indicated officials couldn't ignore the energy supply shock.

From The Wall Street Journal

“It catches people and our bodies off guard. The coastal areas don’t have AC so that could also cause some issues there. Strenuous activities during the heat can cause some of those issues as well.”

From Los Angeles Times

I loved when a dish caught me off guard.

From Salon

After the marble and dark-wood coolness of the library, I was caught off guard by the bright sun as I burst outside.

From Literature