ABC English Lessons

All phrases › catch someone off guard

What does “catch someone off guard” mean?

Meaning, example sentence and a quick practice question.

C1

To surprise someone when they aren't expecting it

“The question caught me completely off guard.”

Say it smoothly: “ca-tchoff-guard”

From the C1 lesson Playing It by Ear (time and timing).

Quick check

What does “catch someone off guard” mean?

Teaching this phrase?“catch someone off guard” is part of a ready-to-teach lesson, with a reading, three exercises, speaking tasks and an answer key, in Everyday English Chunks C1 Pack 2 (Plans, Problems and Feelings).
See the C1 lesson pack

Or get all 32 lessons in the complete C1 course and save 25%.

Want to use phrases like this with confidence?Practice them in a one-to-one lesson with me, an experienced online English teacher.
Book a lesson

Related phrases