caught unaware

caught unawares

To be surprised by someone or something. A: "Oh man, I was totally caught unawares when your mother showed up here this morning." B: "I figured as much when she told me that you answered the door in your robe and curlers!"
See also: caught, unawares
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

caught unaware(s)

surprised and unprepared. Sorry. You startled me when you came up behind me. I was caught unaware. The clerk was caught unawares, and the robber emptied out the cash register before the clerk could sound the alarm.
See also: caught, unaware
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • catch/take somebody unawares
  • caught unawares
  • unaware
  • unawares
  • footed
  • be caught on the hop
  • flat-footed, to be caught/catch
  • be caught flat-footed
  • catch (one) by surprise
  • twist (something) off of (something)
References in periodicals archive
Eddie Jones' men were caught unaware at the Principality Stadium on Saturday as quick-thinking by Wales exploited a moment of confusion to engineer a crucial try that secured a 13-6 victory.
Eddie Jones' men were caught unaware at the Principality Stadium as Wales' quick thinking exploited a moment of confusion to engineer a crucial try that secured a 13-6 victory.
Eddie Jones' men were caught unaware at the Principality Stadium on Saturday as Wales' quick-thinking exploited a moment of confusion to engineer a crucial try that secured a 13-6 victory.
He said that motor bancas plying the Parola Wharf to Buenavista route were caught unaware by the directive.
That is to say that Huawei isn't caught unaware, ongoing political tensions have made the Chinese company more perceptive to eventualities such as these and have prepared accordingly.
That bombshell led to tears from the coach and Barzagli - who actually played alongside Allegri for Pistoeise 19 years ago - while also leaving a number of first-team stars startled, caught unaware.
"Being caught unaware can lead to dire consequences, so having a system like our Pre-Collision Assist, designed specifically to warn you of a problem, perhaps even before you're aware of it, is very important," says Jamie Rae, marketing director, Ford Middle East.
But the following day, the Davao chapter of the IBP raised questions on its national chapter's "staging" of the said press conference, despite the IBP President Abdiel Dan Fajardo's immediate clarification that the organization was caught unaware by "Bikoy's" supposed arrival at their office.Fajardo stressed that the NCLA will still vet and evaluate Advincula's claim and case before they can accept him as a client.
With 11 minutes remaining, he was alive and alert as Trent Alexander-Arnold sent in a low corner to the near post and with Barcelona caught unaware, the Belgian turned a firsttime shot into the far corner.
'When Fall Armyworm made landfall in India, its arrival did not come as a complete surprise, we were not caught unaware. And that's a good start - indeed it was a good head start,' Kadiresan said.
"When Fall Armyworm made landfall in India last summer, its arrival did not come as a complete surprise, we were not caught unaware.
He explained that the security agents, electoral officers and other party officials were caught unaware and had to run for their lives but said the security men, however, trailed the hoodlums
There is a crisis happening and they were caught unaware. Such food that could have fed thousands of people hungry was wasted and the farmers who obtained government loan also lost money)," she pointed out.
He said the spinners were caught unaware and were not in a position to pay higher tariff gas bills.
Koilel said many were caught unaware as the government began the process of constructing a police post in readiness for their eviction.