"Pants down" is often used to describe someone being caught off guard, vulnerable, or in a compromising situation. To convey these ideas in French, you would need to use different phrases depending on the specific context:
For "caught off guard":
* Pris au dépourvu: This literally translates to "caught unprepared" and is the closest equivalent to "caught off guard."
* Surpris: This means "surprised" and can also be used to describe someone caught unawares.
For "vulnerable":
* Démuni: This means "defenseless" or "unprotected" and suggests a state of vulnerability.
* Sans défense: This literally translates to "without defense" and implies a lack of protection.
For "in a compromising situation":
* En position délicate: This translates to "in a delicate position" and suggests a situation that could be embarrassing or dangerous.
* Dans une situation compromettante: This means "in a compromising situation" and is more direct.
It's important to choose the phrase that best fits the specific context and nuance you want to convey.