caught with (one's) pants down

(redirected from caught with their pants down)

caught with (one's) pants down

Taken by surprise. Caught in a vulnerable (often embarrassing) position or situation. When the boss started firing questions at me, I was caught with my pants down and looked like a fool. I just hadn't considered all of those potential outcomes yet and didn't know what to say! We seriously underestimated our opponents on Saturday and totally got caught with our pants down.
See also: caught, down, pant
References in periodicals archive ?
CARLO MONTI trots out the cliche titles are not won in January - but the Buffs attacker believes being caught with their pants down in November saw their bid start to take shape.
BUFFS TURNED ON FULL MONTI; EVERY GOAL .. EVERY GAME .. EVERY MONDAY Carlo: Early exit was a wake-cup call in title tilt
We experienced that four years ago (by winning the series in Australia) where people decided to be critical and a lot of people got caught with their pants down afterwards, didn't they?
Gatland responds to Hansen criticism; RUGBY UNION
in case they might have to do some proper police work, then went on to say "Sunderland certainly got caught with their pants down though".
The Laughing Policeman..
Malone went on to comment on the changes on the traditional publishing side: “In the ever-changing world of all aspects of publishing, because of the distribution model they've always used, the big publishers got caught with their pants down.
Developmental Editor Talks to Writers About Book Distribution in Publishing World
AS THE flames of conflict engulfed region after region in the Middle East, and the once prosperous Eastern Ukraine became the centre of a likely new cold war, it would be fair to say world leaders like Obama and Cameron were caught with their pants down.
Sanctions no answer; You Say Email:letters@liverpoolecho.co.ukA
Indeed, the most unedifying sight in the whole thing was Steve Coogan, Hugh Grant and Max Mosley side by side complaining they'd been caught with their pants down.
Lev law alone
Consequent to this, the Pakistani Army and the ISI were literally caught with their pants down, the author has noted.
Post-Osama's elimination at Abbottabad, an Indian soldier's perspective
Like many other footballers caught with their pants down, he tried to slap a worldwide gagging order on this paper.
St Rio rumbled.. and we DID have a right to know
CAUGHT with their pants down in a case related to the disappearance of seized drugs from its lockers, the Goa Police have invented an innovative excuse for the missing drugs.
Goa cops blame vanishing seized drugs on ants
The twist on this one is an American company is doing a British farce where everybody gets caught with their pants down.
LCC stages a comedy about staging a comedy
Some of the big boys got caught with their pants down and would like to penalize all of us for their questionable business practices, but it isn't working.
No questions asked
Today we are prepared to forgive MPs when they are caught with their pants down.
Perspective: The real sin of John 'The Stud' Hemming
They were caught with their pants down when asked what they were doing to help those students who rely on public transportation to get to school.
EDITORIAL LEFT ON THE CURB SHAME ON SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR NOT RESPONDING TO MTA STRIKE
Now the St Johnstone striker reckons it will be Saints' promotion rivals who will be caught with their pants down as he gears up for a top-team return.
Football: Peaso will be a pain on return
When Prodigy and his married co-worker Gina are caught with their pants down on company videotape, his boss gives a tough caution in lieu of a pink slip.
The Hearts of Men
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