also off balance
1.
If someone or something is ~, they can easily fall or be knocked over because they are not standing firmly.
He tried to use his own weight to push his attacker off but he was off balance...
ADJ: v n ADJ, v-link ADJ
2.
If someone is caught ~, they are extremely surprised or upset by a particular event or piece of news they are not expecting.
Mullins knocked me ~ with his abrupt change of subject...
The government was thrown ~ by the attempted coup.
ADJ: usu v n ADJ