on the hop
• unprepared.
• "he was caught on the hop"
Similar:
unprepared,
unready,
off guard,
unawares,
by surprise,
with one's defences down,
napping,
asleep at the wheel,
with one's trousers down,
with one's pants down,
• bustling about; busy.
• "we were always kept on the hop"
Similar:
busy,
occupied,
employed,
working,
at work,
rushed off one's feet,
hard-pressed,
on the job,
busy as a bee,
on the go,
