be caught on the hop

be caught on the hop

To be caught unawares or in a state of unpreparedness. Please forgive my distracted attention—I'm afraid I was caught on the hop by your sudden arrival. Terry hadn't prepared anything to say at the reception, so he was caught on the hop a bit when they asked me to say a few words.
See also: caught, hop, on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • caught
  • footed
  • flat-footed, to be caught/catch
  • be caught flat-footed
  • be caught with (one's) trousers down
  • be caught with your pants down
  • be caught with (one's) pants down
  • caught with one's pants down, be
  • caught with (one's) pants down
  • catch (one) by surprise