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Synonyms

flat-footed

British  
/ ˌflætˈfʊtɪd /

adjective

  1. having flatfoot

  2. informal

    1. clumsy or awkward

    2. downright and uncompromising

  3. informal off guard or unawares (often in the phrase catch flat-footed )

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

flat-footed Idioms  

Other Word Forms

  • flat-footedly adverb
  • flat-footedness noun

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Wood dictated the tempo across 12 rounds against a frustrated, flat-footed Warrington.

From BBC

Rodriguez said the city is often left flat-footed when encampments pop up on hillsides and property owners don’t help address the issue.

From Los Angeles Times

Unable to trap West Ham with a high press, United were caught flat-footed by an incisive break.

From Barron's

“And the city got caught flat-footed trying to keep up.”

From The Wall Street Journal

They were flat and flat-footed from the beginning, surrendering a 75-yard touchdown pass on Houston’s first possession and a 43-yard touchdown pass on the second.

From Los Angeles Times