Unawares or Unprepared Crossword Clue

Unawares or unprepared crossword clue. A daily quick crossword clue in UK Daily Mail on Tuesday, 18 July 2017. 8 letters, 3 words (2,3,3)

Answer: On The Hop

If you are caught on the hop, you are surprised by someone doing something when you were not expecting them to and so you are not prepared for it.
[British , informal]
His plans almost caught security chiefs and hotel staff on the hop.

informal
a. active or busy
b. British unawares or unprepared
the new ruling caught me on the hop