off guard

1. Also, off one's guard. Not watchful, easily surprised. It is often put as catch (or be caught) off guard, meaning “take (or be taken) by surprise.” For example, The securities analyst was caught off guard by that financial report, or With any luck the boss will be off guard when I come in late. [Late 1600s] The antonym, on guard or on one's guard, meaning “watchful or prepared, especially to defend oneself,” was first recorded in 1577. For example, In this crowd we must be on guard against pickpockets, or I'm always on my guard when I'm asked how I voted.

Example Sentences

The out of place hoops competition was just one component of the evening that really caught me off guard.

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As a result, financial markets could be caught off guard, not by a rate cut, but the Fed’s stance on quantitative tightening, Rodriguez said.

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GM’s rally came with enormous volume, likely catching shorts off guard and attracting new longs, a potent combination.

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Wiener’s announcement — which leaked in part last week — caught some political observers off guard, given Wiener had for years seemed resigned to run for Pelosi’s seat only once she stepped aside.

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The surprise escalation of the simmering trade dispute, which investors had hoped was advancing toward a deal following a series of bilateral meetings in Europe, has caught markets largely off guard.

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