catch cold
to surprise someone with an event, a question, or a piece of news they are not expecting

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

catch cold
catch (someone) cold
[American]
to surprise someone with an event, a question, or a piece of news they are not expecting.
You caught me cold with this news - I didn't know anything about it.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

catch cold
v. phr.
1. To get a common cold-weather sickness that causes a running nose, sneezing, and sometimes sore throat and fever or other symptoms.
Don't get your feet wet or you'll catch cold.
2. informal To catch unprepared or not ready for a question or unexpected happening.
I had not studied my lesson carefully, and the teacher's question caught me cold.
The opposing team was big and sure of winning, and they were caught cold by the fast, hard playing of our smaller players.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

catch someone cold
catch (someone) cold
[American]
to surprise someone with an event, a question, or a piece of news they are not expecting.
You caught me cold with this news - I didn't know anything about it.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲