off-guard

ADJECTIVE

unprepared

Synonyms

WEAK

asleep asleep on the job daydreaming flat-footed inattentive napping spaced out unalert unready unsuspecting unvigilant unwatchful zoned out

ADVERB

when not paying attention

Synonyms

WEAK

asleep asleep at the switch derelict flat-footed napping negligent not on the job unalert unguarded unprepared unready unwatchful

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.

“Emergencies happen every year. They occur regularly. You only get caught off guard because you didn’t have a plan,” Clark said.

From MarketWatch

Caught off guard, Estelle asked him what he wanted to change it to.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Countries hit early may have been caught off guard and are scrambling to ramp up countermeasures,” Rajnarayanan said.

From Salon

If you know you’re overly reactive to certain conversations, let your partner know beforehand so that they aren’t caught off guard in the moment.

From MarketWatch

So when borrowers refinance more quickly than anticipated, bond investors can be caught off guard.

From The Wall Street Journal

off-guard

Example Sentences

Related Words