catch (one) with (one's) pants down

(redirected from catches us with our pants down)

catch (one) with (one's) pants down

To encounter or catch one by surprise in a vulnerable and often embarrassing position or situation. Thanks to that anonymous tip, we were able to catch the drug smugglers with their pants down—right when they were making the exchange. Jeff was caught with his pants down when he came to the meeting without having read the brief and the boss started firing questions at him.

catch (one) with one's pants down

Fig. to discover someone in the act of doing something that is normally private or hidden. (Literal uses are possible.) Some council members were using tax money as their own. But the press caught them with their pants down and now the district attorney will press charges.

catch someone with their pants (or trousers) down

catch someone in an unprepared state or sexually compromising situation. informal

catch somebody with their ˈpants down

(British English also catch somebody with their ˈtrousers down) (informal) find or trap somebody when they are unprepared or not paying attention: After the devastating attack on its military bases, the country was determined not to be caught with its pants down a second time.

catch (someone) with his pants down, to

To embarrass someone, to surprise someone when he is at a disadvantage. The term is American and there are several theories about its origin. One holds that it comes from a husband catching another man with his wife. Another claims it refers to an enemy catching a soldier relieving himself.