catch (someone) flat-footed

To startle someone; to come upon someone unawares and/or when they are unprepared. Usually used in the past tense. The security guard caught the thieves flat-footed. That essay question in the exam caught me completely flat-footed.See also: catch

caught flat-footed

Caught unprepared, taken by surprise, as in The reporter's question caught the President flat-footed. This usage comes from one or another sport in which a player should be on his or her toes, ready to act. [c. 1900] See also: caught

catch someone flat-footed

take someone by surprise or at a disadvantage. informal The opposite of flat-footed in this metaphorical sense is on your toes (see toe). 1998 Field Farming and forestry were both caught flat-footed when fashion changed. See also: catch, someone

单词	catch (someone) flat-footed
释义	catch (someone) flat-footed catch (someone) flat-footed To startle someone; to come upon someone unawares and/or when they are unprepared. Usually used in the past tense. The security guard caught the thieves flat-footed. That essay question in the exam caught me completely flat-footed.See also: catch caught flat-footed Caught unprepared, taken by surprise, as in The reporter's question caught the President flat-footed. This usage comes from one or another sport in which a player should be on his or her toes, ready to act. [c. 1900] See also: caught catch someone flat-footed take someone by surprise or at a disadvantage. informal The opposite of flat-footed in this metaphorical sense is on your toes (see toe). 1998 Field Farming and forestry were both caught flat-footed when fashion changed. See also: catch, someone
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