Phrase guide

off guard

prep_phrase · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

Not vigilant; unprepared; inattentive.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • His sudden appearance at the office caught her completely off guard.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: on guard

2

prep_phrase

Meaning 2

Unexpectedly or by surprise.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

16 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: unvorbereitet — unprepared
  • Italian: alla sprovvista — unprepared
  • Spanish: con la guardia abajo/baja — unprepared
  • Spanish: desprevenido — unprepared
  • Spanish: por sorpresa — unprepared
  • Turkish: hazırlıksız — unprepared
  • Finnish: yllättävästi — unexpectedly or by surprise
  • Finnish: yllättäen — unexpectedly or by surprise
  • German: unerwartet — unexpectedly or by surprise
  • German: überraschend — unexpectedly or by surprise
  • Russian: враспло́х (vrasplóx) — unexpectedly or by surprise
  • Russian: неожи́данно (neožídanno) — unexpectedly or by surprise
  • Spanish: con la guardia abajo/baja — unexpectedly or by surprise
  • Spanish: desprevenido — unexpectedly or by surprise
  • Spanish: por sorpresa — unexpectedly or by surprise
  • Turkish: hazırlıksız — unexpectedly or by surprise