# catch napping

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/catch-napping
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To surprise; to take advantage of the lack of watchfulness of.

## Examples

- The thief caught the guard napping.
- The team lost the game because the defense was caught napping during the final minute.
- The sudden change in market conditions caught many experienced investors napping, leading to significant financial losses for those who failed to prepare.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.