措手不及cuò shǒu bù jí临时来不及应付{be caught unprepared; be taken by surprise; be caught unawares; be too late to do anything about sth.}: 必须做好防洪准备工作,以免雨季到来时～。{We must be well-prepared for floods, so as not to be caught off guard when the rainy season comes.}