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Catch somebody with their pants down

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Vulnerability Emphasis

Emphasizes that someone was unprepared and vulnerable to unexpected problems or revelations.

Illustration for Vulnerability Emphasis
The sudden inspection caught the staff with their pants down.
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Metaphorically Speaking

The phrase is used figuratively, not literally; it's about being caught unprepared, not without pants.

Illustration for Metaphorically Speaking
His sudden question about finances caught me with my pants down.
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Idiomatic Nature

Remember it's an idiom; it won't make sense to someone if translated word-for-word into another language.

Illustration for Idiomatic Nature
To a non-English speaker, 'caught with their pants down' was a confusing phrase.
Visual representation of the word "Catch somebody with their pants down"

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