1.
surprise attack; ambush; sucker punch
An attack or action that catches someone completely off guard. Used literally for physical attacks and figuratively for unexpected events, questions, or emotional shocks.
不意打ちを食らった。
I was caught off guard.
敵の不意打ちに遭って大きな被害を受けた。
We suffered heavy damage from the enemy's surprise attack.
面接で不意打ちの質問をされて、うまく答えられなかった。
I was asked an unexpected question in the interview and couldn't answer well.
USAGE:
The most common pattern is 不意打ちを食らう (to be hit with a surprise attack / to be caught off guard). Also used figuratively for unexpected questions, news, or emotional surprises.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 不意打ちを食らう (to be caught off guard)
- 不意打ちを掛ける (to launch a surprise attack)
- 不意打ちに遭う (to encounter a surprise attack)
- 不意打ちの質問 (an unexpected question)
WORD FORMATION:
不意 (unexpected; sudden) + 打ち (strike). 不意 itself means "being caught unaware."