Idioms

catch someone on the hop

catch (one) on the hop

To encounter or try to communicate or work with someone at an inopportune time, such as when they are busy or preoccupied; to catch one off guard. I'll definitely help you with that report later—you just happened to catch me on the hop right now. If Dean was grumpy, you probably just caught him on the hop. A: "Did I catch you on the hop?" B: "Yeah, I'm sorry, but if I don't leave right this second, I'm going to miss the train."
See also: catch, hop, on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

catch someone on the hop

BRITISH
COMMON If a person or event catches you on the hop, you are not prepared for them and so are unable to respond quickly or appropriately. She couldn't afford to be caught on the hop if stock sold out. Adam took the fourth qualifying place in his semi-final and admitted his success had caught him on the hop. Compare with keep someone on the hop.
See also: catch, hop, on, someone
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
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