Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

be-caught-on-the-hop

idiom

/biː kɔːt ɒn ðə hɒp/

Definition

To be surprised or unprepared for something unexpected.

Examples

She was caught on the hop when the teacher asked her to present her project unexpectedly.
During the meeting, the manager was caught on the hop by the sudden budget cut announcement.

Meaning

When someone is caught on the hop, they find themselves in a situation where they are not ready or are taken by surprise, often leading to confusion or difficulty in responding appropriately.