thrown for a loop
Caught off guard
Thrown for a loop describes being caught off guard or deeply unsettled by unexpected news or events.
The expression comes from aviation, where a loop is an aerobatic maneuver that disorients pilots, or possibly from boxing, where a loop punch can stagger an opponent.
The diagnosis really threw her for a loop.
Someone thrown for a loop typically needs time to recover their composure or adjust to new circumstances.
- stumpedUnable to solve
- confusedUnable to understand
- curveballPitch with spin-induced arc
- out of left fieldWholly unanticipated and startling
- perplexedThoroughly confused, uncertain
baffled · shock · taken aback · dismay · puzzled · blindsided · astonishment · fluster · disbelief · mind blown · bewilderment · double take · caught off guard · amazement · consternation · shaken up · thrown off balance · anxiety
- confusionconfusion, confused, bewilderment, perplexity, baffled
- unreadyunprepared, ill-prepared, ill-equipped, unready, not ready
thrown for a loopunfazed
Not disturbed or disconcerted
unruffled · composed · cool as a cucumber · calm · keeping one's cool
thrown for a loopprepared
Made ready beforehand
ready · forewarned · unsurprised · braced · anticipated
throw, loop, threw, throws, throwing, thrower, throwers, loops, looped