caught unawares

caught unawares

To be surprised by someone or something. A: "Oh man, I was totally caught unawares when your mother showed up here this morning." B: "I figured as much when she told me that you answered the door in your robe and curlers!" The thieves were promptly put into police custody after being caught unawares by the security guard. Make sure you have all the information and know all the key talking points. You don't want to be caught unawares by the interviewer.

See also: caught, unawares

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

caught unaware(s)

surprised and unprepared. Sorry. You startled me when you came up behind me. I was caught unaware. The clerk was caught unawares, and the robber emptied out the cash register before the clerk could sound the alarm.

See also: caught, unaware

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

catch/take somebody unaˈwares

surprise somebody; do something when somebody does not expect it: Her sudden refusal took me unawares. ♢ You caught us unawares by coming so early.

See also: catch, somebody, take, unawares

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017