LookItUp

off guard

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˌɔf ˈɡɑrd/ · UK /ˌɒf ˈɡɑːd/

off guard means: Not ready to notice or deal with something that happens.

phrase

UNPREPAREDB2

Not ready to notice or deal with something that happens.

  • Her question caught me off guard.
  • He was off guard after a quiet morning.
  • The team’s defense was off guard when the attack came.

How to use it: be off guard (He was off guard when the interviewer changed the subject.); catch someone off guard (Her question caught me off guard.)

Similar words: unprepared, unready

Opposites: prepared, alert

Common phrases: be off guard, catch someone off guard

BY SURPRISEB2

In a way that surprises someone who was not expecting it.

  • The news took us off guard.
  • His sudden arrival caught the guards off guard.
  • Did that question catch you off guard?

How to use it: take/catch someone off guard (The announcement took everyone off guard.)

Similar words: by surprise, unawares

Common phrases: take someone off guard, catch someone off guard

Questions about off guard

What does off guard mean?

Not ready to notice or deal with something that happens.

What is off guard in other languages?

Türkçe: hazırlıksız · Español: desprevenido · Français: pris au dépourvu · Deutsch: unvorbereitet · Italiano: impreparato · 日本語: 油断している

How do you pronounce off guard?

In American English /ˌɔf ˈɡɑrd/; in British English /ˌɒf ˈɡɑːd/.

How do you use off guard in a sentence?

Her question caught me off guard. He was off guard after a quiet morning.

Learn off guard while you read

LookItUp shows the meaning that fits your sentence, in your language, and turns new words into quick practice cards.

Coming soon on the App Store LookItUp app for iPhone and iPad

off guard in other languages

More words