caught with one's pants down
Found completely unready
To be caught with one's pants down is to be discovered in an embarrassing situation or caught unprepared.
The image is of someone literally exposed—perhaps on the toilet or in a sexual act—when interrupted unexpectedly.
The audit caught the company with its pants down.
When the reporter asked about the scandal, the senator was caught with his pants down.
- blindsidedSurprised by unforeseen impact
- caught off guardSurprised when unprepared
- mortifiedIntensely embarrassed
- startledAbruptly surprised or alarmed
- humiliatedMade to feel worthless
shocked · exposed · in the act · laid bare · deer in headlights · unready · shamefaced · let one's guard down · vulnerable · unguarded · hand in the cookie jar · red-faced · awkward · caught red-handed · taken aback · faux pas · blunder · uncovered
caught with one's pants downlocked and loaded
Fully prepared to fire
armed to the teeth · prepared · at the ready · primed · battle-ready
caught with one's pants downprotected
Kept from harm
guarded · invulnerable · buttoned up · airtight · unassailable
caught with one's pants downforewarned
Notified of coming trouble
one step ahead · ahead of the curve · forewarned is forearmed · in the know · wise to it