I was caught with my pants down when the boss asked for the report.
caught with one's pants down
idiomCaught off guard, unprepared, or in an embarrassing situation.
Origin
disputed originPresumably engaged in some private or intimate activity. Pants may refer to either trousers or underpants.
The company was caught with its pants down when the new regulations were suddenly announced last week.
The sudden market crash caught the unprepared investors with their pants down, leaving them scrambling to recover their losses.
- 01
abound in one's own sense
To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.
- 02
ace up one's sleeve
A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.
- 03
act one's age
To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.
- 04
act one's age, not one's shoe size
Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).
- 05
afraid of one's own shadow
Exceptionally timid.
- 06
air one's dirty laundry in public
To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.
- 07
air one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
- 08
albatross around one's neck
A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.