expression, godan verb (-tsu)
take unawares; make a surprise attack
Used for catching someone off guard, either physically or psychologically. Often implies a sudden, unexpected action. Cross-referenced with 不意をつく, which is a more common variant.
See also: 不意をつく
敵の不意を打って、一気に攻め込んだ。
We took the enemy by surprise and attacked all at once.
彼の質問は私の不意を打った。
His question caught me off guard.