taken off guard

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"We were taken off guard that it seemed to be working on time scales similar to that of silicon photodetectors."

From Science Daily • Mar. 4, 2026

“I was completely taken off guard, but it was a good harbinger of what was to come.”

From Seattle Times • Nov. 19, 2023

But Pentagon officials were taken off guard by the Haitian request late Friday.

From New York Times • Jul. 10, 2021

One person familiar with the NFL’s inner workings said Saturday that, while owners were taken off guard by Goodell’s remarks, most will be supportive, with some possible — and notable — exceptions.

From Washington Post • Jun. 6, 2020

I’m taken off guard, because we almost never even say the word Flash, let alone talk about it.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold