World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesCatch-off-guard
/ˌkætʃ ˌɒf ˈɡɑːrd/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
To surprise someone by doing something they were not expecting or prepared for.
"The sudden announcement caught the management completely off guard." - 2
To discover someone in a vulnerable or unprepared state.
"The unexpected inspection caught the workers off guard."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from the verb 'catch' combined with the nautical and military idiom 'off guard', which originated in the late 17th century from fencing and combat terminology where a combatant was found unready or lacking a defensive posture. Over time, the phrase transitioned into general usage to describe any sudden or unexpected surprise that leaves a person unprepared.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Catch-off-guard"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Catch-off-guard" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
prendre au dépourvu
Transliteration: prãdr o depuʁvy
"Cette question l'a pris au dépourvu."
überrumpeln
Transliteration: ˈyːbɐʁʊmpəln
"Die Nachricht hat ihn völlig überrumpelt."
cogliere di sprovvista
Transliteration: ˈkɔʎʎere di sproˈvvista
"La pioggia improvvisa ci ha coglierci di sprovvista."
pillar desprevenido
Transliteration: piˈʎaɾ despreβeˈnido
"La pregunta me pilló desprevenido."
pegar de surpresa
Transliteration: peˈɡaʁ dʒi suɾˈpɾeza
"A notícia pegou todos de surpresa."
चकित करना
Transliteration: chakit karna
Script: हिंदी देवनागरी
"इस खबर ने उसे चकित कर दिया।"
措手不及
Transliteration: cuò shǒu bù jí
Script: 中文汉字
"突如其来的问题让他措手不及。"
허를 찌르다
Transliteration: heoreul jjireuda
Script: 한국어 한글
"그 질문은 나의 허를 찔렀다."
不意を打つ
Transliteration: fui o utsu
Script: 日本語
"そのニュースは彼の不意を打った。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all English termsTo think carefully about something, typically before making a decision.
A formal, documented account of findings, investigations, or statistics issued by an authoritative body or government agency.
Used to express pleasure, realization, surprise, or understanding.
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