taken off guard

ADJECTIVE

unprepared

Synonyms

STRONGEST

unaware vulnerable

WEAK

ad-lib caught off guard ill-considered impromptu improvised napping not prepared off the cuff off the top of one's head offhand played by ear spontaneous surprised 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.

"We were taken off guard that it seemed to be working on time scales similar to that of silicon photodetectors."

From Science Daily • Mar. 4, 2026

“I was completely taken off guard, but it was a good harbinger of what was to come.”

From Seattle Times • Nov. 19, 2023

Republicans in Washington were taken off guard by Mr. Sununu’s decision.

From New York Times • Nov. 9, 2021

One person familiar with the NFL’s inner workings said Saturday that, while owners were taken off guard by Goodell’s remarks, most will be supportive, with some possible — and notable — exceptions.

From Washington Post • Jun. 6, 2020

“Oh,” Ma exclaims, taken off guard by the gesture.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

taken off guard

Example Sentences

Related Words