Synonyms

off guard

Idioms

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.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The curious phenomenon, described by celebrity crisis PR Lauren Beeching as "distinctly British", is largely explained by the fact it feels "off guard".

From BBC

He said residents were "completely caught off guard" on Sunday morning as news of El Mencho's capture, and the following unrest, broke.

From BBC

Russell's quick restart caught them off guard with the ball bouncing backwards into the grateful arms of Darcy Graham who went over for the try.

From Barron's

That he has moved so forcefully against the states has caught some off guard.

From The Wall Street Journal

The declaration triggered flash protests, sent the stock market into panic and caught key military allies such as the United States off guard.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023