ENGLISH
REFERENCE

catch someone napping

idiom
Meaning

To take advantage of someone's inattention.


Examples
SIMPLE

The thief caught the guard napping and stole the bag.

CONTEXTUAL

The rival company launched their product early, catching our marketing team napping during the holiday break.

COMPLEX

The sudden shift in market trends caught the unprepared investors napping, leading to significant financial losses before they could adjust their strategy.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    as if someone owns the place

    Alternative form of like someone owns the place.

  2. 02

    beat someone round the ears

    To beat (a person) with blows about the head.

  3. 03

    bless someone with

    To give or bestow, as a gift from God.

  4. 04

    bring someone to their knees

    To defeat and make submit to orders.

  5. 05

    call someone every name in the book

    To call someone many abusive names.

  6. 06

    call someone everything but a child of God

    To call someone many abusive names.

  7. 07

    catch a body

    to kill, to murder

  8. 08

    catch a break

    To experience the minimal amount of good luck or a favorable outcome.

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