catch someone off guard
يفاجئ
字面意思: To catch someone without their defensive position
Use it when someone's reaction shows they weren't ready for what just happened.
15秒了解
- Surprising someone when they are not prepared or paying attention.
- Used when an unexpected event or question causes a momentary shock.
- Works for both positive surprises and slightly awkward social moments.
意思
To surprise someone by doing something when they aren't ready for it. It usually means you caught them at a moment when they weren't paying attention.
关键例句
3 / 6An unexpected question in a meeting
The manager's question about the budget really caught me off guard.
سؤال المدير عن الميزانية فاجأني حقاً.
Meeting a friend unexpectedly
Running into my ex-boyfriend at the grocery store caught me off guard.
رؤية حبيبي السابق في البقالة فاجأتني.
A surprise compliment
She caught him off guard when she told him he was the best writer she knew.
لقد فاجأته عندما أخبرته أنه أفضل كاتب عرفته.
文化背景
The phrase originates from the world of fencing and martial arts, where a 'guard' is a defensive posture. It transitioned into common English to describe the psychological state of being unprepared for a social or professional interaction. It reflects a cultural emphasis on alertness and the 'poker face' often expected in business.
The 'Me' Position
Always put the person being surprised between 'caught' and 'off'. Say 'caught her off guard' or 'caught them off guard'.
Not for Scaring
Don't use this if someone jumps out of a closet to scare you. Use 'startled' or 'scared' instead. This phrase is for mental surprises.
15秒了解
- Surprising someone when they are not prepared or paying attention.
- Used when an unexpected event or question causes a momentary shock.
- Works for both positive surprises and slightly awkward social moments.
What It Means
Imagine a soldier standing at a gate. If they are 'on guard,' they are ready for anything. To catch someone off guard means you find them when they have their hands down. You surprise them because they weren't expecting a question, a person, or a situation. It is like a mental jump-scare. It does not have to be scary, though. It just means their brain was busy thinking about something else.
How To Use It
You use this phrase when someone asks a question you didn't expect. You can also use it when you see someone in public unexpectedly. It is a very flexible phrase. You can say 'The news caught me off guard' or 'I caught him off guard.' Just remember to put the person being surprised in the middle. It works perfectly for both positive and negative surprises.
When To Use It
Use it in a meeting when a boss asks for your opinion suddenly. Use it when a friend reveals a big secret while you are eating. It is great for describing that 'deer in the headlights' feeling. If you walk into a surprise birthday party, you are definitely caught off guard. It is perfect for those moments where you need a second to find your words.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for planned events. If you knew the meeting was coming, you weren't off guard. Avoid using it for physical accidents like tripping over a rug. That is just being clumsy, not being surprised by information. Also, do not use it if someone is intentionally scaring you by jumping out from a corner. That is just 'scaring' someone. Catch off guard is more about the mental lack of preparation.
Cultural Background
This phrase comes from fencing or military defense. In sports like boxing or fencing, your 'guard' is how you hold your body to protect yourself. If your guard is down, you are vulnerable. In modern English, we moved this from physical fighting to social situations. It shows how much we value being prepared and 'ready' in Western culture. Being caught off guard is seen as a very human, relatable moment.
Common Variations
Sometimes people say taken off guard instead of caught off guard. They mean the exact same thing. You might also hear someone say they were caught unawares. That is a bit more formal and old-fashioned. If you want to be very casual, you could say you were blindsided. However, blindsided usually feels more negative and aggressive than caught off guard.
使用说明
This is a very safe, neutral idiom. It works in almost any situation. Just be careful with the word order—the object (me, him, her, them) must always split the phrase.
The 'Me' Position
Always put the person being surprised between 'caught' and 'off'. Say 'caught her off guard' or 'caught them off guard'.
Not for Scaring
Don't use this if someone jumps out of a closet to scare you. Use 'startled' or 'scared' instead. This phrase is for mental surprises.
The Poker Face
In English-speaking business culture, being 'caught off guard' is something people try to avoid by over-preparing for meetings.
例句
6The manager's question about the budget really caught me off guard.
سؤال المدير عن الميزانية فاجأني حقاً.
Shows the person wasn't prepared with an answer.
Running into my ex-boyfriend at the grocery store caught me off guard.
رؤية حبيبي السابق في البقالة فاجأتني.
Describes the social awkwardness of an unplanned encounter.
She caught him off guard when she told him he was the best writer she knew.
لقد فاجأته عندما أخبرته أنه أفضل كاتب عرفته.
A positive use of the phrase involving an unexpected compliment.
Sorry for the slow reply, your text caught me off guard!
آسف على الرد المتأخر، رسالتك فاجأتني!
Explains why someone might be hesitant or slow to react.
The cat's sudden jump caught me off guard and I spilled my tea.
قفزة القطة المفاجئة فاجأتني وسكبت الشاي.
A lighthearted, everyday physical surprise.
His sudden apology caught me off guard and I started to cry.
اعتذاره المفاجئ فاجأني وبدأت بالبكاء.
Used for deep emotional moments where defenses are down.
自我测试
Choose the correct word to complete the phrase.
I didn't expect a test today; the teacher really caught me ___ guard.
The standard collocation is 'off guard', meaning you were not in a defensive or prepared state.
Identify the best situation for this phrase.
Which of these would 'catch you off guard'?
Catching someone off guard requires an element of surprise or lack of preparation.
🎉 得分： /2
视觉学习工具
Formality of 'Catch off guard'
Used with friends for small surprises.
You caught me off guard with that joke!
Standard use in most conversations.
The news caught the public off guard.
Used in journalism or business reports.
The sudden market shift caught investors off guard.
When to use 'Catch off guard'
Job Interview
A tricky question you didn't study for.
Social Life
Seeing a celebrity at a coffee shop.
Relationships
An unexpected 'I love you'.
Daily Life
A surprise party you didn't suspect.
常见问题
10 个问题Both are correct! Caught off guard is more common in daily speech, while taken off guard sounds slightly more formal.
Yes! If someone gives you a beautiful gift unexpectedly, you can say it caught you off guard.
Not at all. It is a neutral way to describe being surprised. However, telling a boss 'You caught me off guard' might sound like you weren't prepared for work.
The opposite would be to be prepared or to be on the lookout. There isn't a single idiom that is the exact opposite.
Usually, it refers to mental or social surprises. If you trip, you don't say the floor caught you off guard, unless the floor was doing something very strange!
No, it is a standard idiom. You can use it in a college essay, a business meeting, or with your grandmother.
You can say, 'That question is going to catch him off guard.' Just change the verb catch to the future form.
It is very similar, but caught off guard implies that you were specifically *unprepared* at that moment.
No, that is a common mistake. The person must go in the middle: He caught me off guard.
It refers to your mental defense or readiness. It's like a shield you keep up when you are focused.
相关表达
Throw someone for a loop
To completely confuse or shock someone.
Blindside someone
To surprise someone with very bad news they didn't see coming.
Caught unawares
A more formal way to say someone was surprised while not paying attention.
Take someone by surprise
A very common, slightly simpler synonym for catching someone off guard.
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