catch unawares/unprepared/by surprise

idiom

: to affect (someone) in a sudden, unexpected and surprising way
The new law caught them unawares.
They were caught unprepared by the crisis.
The announcement caught me by surprise

Dictionary Entries Near catch unawares/unprepared/by surprise

catch title

catch unawares/unprepared/by surprise

catch-up

Cite this Entry

“Catch unawares/unprepared/by surprise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catch%20unawares%2Funprepared%2Fby%20surprise. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!