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caught off guard

ADJECTIVE
unprepared
Synonyms
STRONGEST
unaware vulnerable
WEAK
ad-lib ill-considered impromptu improvised napping not prepared off the cuff off the top of one's head offhand played by ear spontaneous surprised taken off guard unexpected unplanned unready unrehearsed unschooled unskilled untrained winged

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.

Soto-Martínez, who endorsed Bass earlier this year, joined his DSA colleagues with a statement saying he was caught off-guard by Raman’s surprise decision to challenge Bass, which she announced just before the filing period closed.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

Throughout the summer, traders increased their leverage to crypto, only to get caught off-guard by the risks from the real-world economy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

Former lead data analyst Ben Newbon says it was common for staff to be caught off-guard by "knee-jerk" decisions from upper management without proper explanation.

From BBC • Oct. 18, 2025

Digital Services who was apparently caught off-guard while vacationing in Mexico.

From Salon • Mar. 5, 2025

Joy is a lady of the finest breeding, but she can be caught off-guard at times.

From "And That's How It Was, Officer" by Sholto, Ralph

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