Meaning
Caught off-guard or mid-step, surprised.
Origin
From 19th-century Britain, tied to hunting; 'hop' for rabbits caught, slang by 1880s for surprise. An 1889 'Times' uses it for a rushed chap.
Variants
- On the hop
Usage Examples
- He was caught on the hop by the quiz.
- She got caught on the hop; no prep.
- Caught on the hop-door's locked!