Catch/take somebody unawares American British phrasal verb
This phrase is often used in the passive form.
To be astonished by the occurrence of sudden situations
At the party last night, I was totally caught unawares when my childhood friend arrived there.
We are taken unawares when witnessing these dramatic developments of this town compared to itself in 2 years ago.
The city authorities caught citizens unawares by ordering social distancing across the city for fear of rising local COVID-19 transmissions.
Catch/take somebody unawares
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To be surprised by some sudden occurrence
To greatly surprise, shock, or confuse someone
An exclamation of shock or surprise
To astonish a vigilant person
The verb "catch/take" should be conjugated according to its tense.
1. A pill or tablet that is hard for someone to swallow because of its large size
2. An fact, claim, proposal, etc. that is very difficult to believe or accept
1. The vet gave my adorable puppy a horse pill and he spat it out immediately.