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catch off guard

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catch someone off guard

 and catch one off (one's) guard

Fig. to catch a person at a time of carelessness. Tom caught Ann off guard and frightened her. She caught me off my guard, and my hesitation told her I was lying.

See also: catch, guard, off

catch somebody off guard

to surprise someone He's used to being interviewed and it seems that no question catches him off guard.

See also: catch, guard, off

catch somebody off guard

to surprise someone One of the larger airlines caught the competition off guard yesterday by announcing a cut in fares.

See also: catch, guard, off

catch/take somebody off guard

to surprise someone by doing or saying something they were not expecting One of the larger airlines caught its rivals off guard yesterday by suddenly announcing a cut in fares. When they asked me to babysit, I was taken off guard and found myself agreeing to it.

See also: catch, guard, off

catch off guard

see under off guard.

See also: catch, guard, off