off your guard

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Thân thiện
Definition

Adjective phrase: - Not prepared or vigilant; in a state of being surprised or unready for something. This phrase describes a moment when someone is not paying careful attention or is not expecting a particular event, making them vulnerable to surprise or attack.

Usage

The phrase "off your guard" (or "off one's guard") is used to describe a person's state of being unprepared. It is typically used after a linking verb like "be," "catch," or "find." - It is often used in contexts involving surprise, attack, or an unexpected question or event. - The possessive adjective changes according to the subject: off my guard, off his guard, off their guard, etc.

Examples
  • Adjective phrase:
    • The sudden question caught the politician off his guard. (The politician was not prepared for the question.)
    • Never be off your guard when hiking in bear country. (You must always be vigilant.)
    • The team scored a goal because the goalkeeper was off her guard. (The goalkeeper was not paying full attention.)
Advanced Usage
  • To catch someone off guard: This is a very common verb phrase used with this expression. It means to surprise someone by doing or saying something they did not expect.
    • The news of the merger caught everyone off guard.
  • To be caught off guard: The passive form of the above phrase.
    • She was caught off guard by the emotional tribute.
Variants and Related Words
  • Off-guard (adjective): Can be used attributively (before a noun) to describe such a moment.
    • It was an off-guard remark that he later regretted.
  • Unprepared (adjective): Not ready for something.
  • Unwary (adjective): Not cautious of possible dangers or problems.
  • Vulnerable (adjective): Open to emotional or physical attack or harm.
Synonyms
  • Unprepared
  • Unwary
  • Unvigilant
  • Napping (informal, as in "caught napping")
Related Phrases
  • With one's guard down: In a relaxed, unvigilant state. Very similar in meaning to "off one's guard."
    • He spoke honestly only when he was with his guard down.
  • Lower one's guard: To become less vigilant or defensive.
    • After weeks of negotiation, she finally lowered her guard.
Notes
  • The standard form is "off one's guard." The phrase "off guard" (without the possessive) is also commonly used, especially in the fixed phrase "catch off guard."
    • The announcement took the public off guard.
  • This phrase originates from fencing or combat, where "guard" refers to a defensive posture. Being "off guard" means not being in that protective stance.
Adjective
  1. not prepared or vigilant
    • the blow caught him napping
    • caught in an off-guard moment
    • found him off his guard

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