off guard

Idioms  

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.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

off guard

Certain White House officials were caught off guard, unaware the health department aimed to unveil it, a person familiar with the matter said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026

Unlike 2018, when O’Rourke’s rise caught some off guard, the party has been preparing for Talarico since the spring.

From Salon ● Sep. 18, 2026

That makes any further sudden yen strengthening less likely to catch traders off guard, he said, which could be enough to avoid a major panic-driven unwind.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 8, 2026

A minute later, Paintsil tried to catch everyone off guard with a three-fingered shot, but the strike lacked power and Gunn made a confident save.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026

I hadn’t thought it would be hard—Conner was usually pretty easygoing—so I’d been totally caught off guard when he’d gotten upset.

From "Keep It Together, Keiko Carter" by Debbi Michiko Florence