caught napping
- unpreparedLacking readiness beforehand
- surprisedCaught unawares
- ambushedAttacked from concealment
- blindsidedSurprised by unforeseen impact
- asleepIn a state of rest
dozing · drowsy · unaware · slack · complacent · vulnerable · exposed · startled · jolted · wakened · lazy · careless · distracted · inattentive · oblivious · snoozing · resting · lulled
- negligence expressionsdrop the ball, asleep at the wheel, let slide, slack off, neglect
- unreadyunprepared, ill-prepared, ill-equipped, unready, not ready
preparedness
caught nappingon guard
Alert and watchful
at the ready · primed · lying in wait · braced · forewarned
vigilance
caught nappingon the alert
In a state of readiness
wide awake · alert · on one's toes · sharp-eyed · watchful