caught flat-footed

catch (one) flat-footed

To startle one; to come upon one unawares or 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
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

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
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • cooking for one
  • drive (one) out of office
  • force (one) out of office
  • force out of office
  • give (one) (one's) head
  • give head
  • give somebody their head
  • give someone their head
  • 1FTR
  • as one door closes, another (one) opens
References in periodicals archive
However, the visitors fell behind on 51 minutes when they were caught flat-footed by a through ball, and Chris Henderson sneaked in and slotted the ball past Elliott.
Defensive lapses prove costly for Quakers
The move came after guards of AY76 security agency of power firm Minergy Power Corporation in Balingasag town in Misamis Oriental were caught flat-footed, offering no resistance when suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels stormed the power plant last August 19.
Surrender high-powered arms or stop ops, PNP warns security firms
Albayalde said five guards of the AY 76 Security Agency were 'caught flat-footed, and did not offer any resistance' when NPA rebels stormed the facility and disarmed them of five AK-47 assault rifles and several rounds of ammunition, and looted the power plant of radio transceiver sets, and other equipment.
PNP to probe liability of security firm after guards were disarmed by NPA
Perpetual Help was caught flat-footed in the first 20 minutes as Warren Bonifacio and Cyril Gonzales scored the bulk of Mapua's uprising that pegged the count at 45-39 before the break.
Altas edge Cardinals; Blazers survive Generals
NU banked on championship experience after being in the finals for seven straight years, but coach Dante Alinsunurin admitted they were caught flat-footed in the opening set.
NU turns back FEU in opener
Kenya has always been caught flat-footed in terms of election planning and preparedness.
Time to streamline electoral processes is now
7 YERRY MINA Caught flat-footed a number of times in the first half but he Colombian international really grew into the game.
How they rated
Co-star Kate Parr, as Stephanie Mangano, was a good mover but was caught flat-footed at times and not all her lifts were landed as elegantly as they might have been.
SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER KINGS THEATRE, GLASGOW 17.10.18; but
While nobody likes getting caught flat-footed, I hate it.
ACTIVE SHOOTER RESPONSE KIT: PROTECTION AT A HIGHER BALLISTIC LEVEL
Caught flat-footed on multiple occasions, looked shaky in possession and struggled in general throughout.
Everton player ratings vs Rennes - Richarlison the one shining light as Blues dismal once more; Our man Adam Jones runs the rule over another pre-season defeat for the Blues
Defensively, Everton had been solid enough but were sloppy for Porto's goal - first losing the ball in midfield before being caught flat-footed - which was a blot on an otherwise encouraging pre-season copybook.
Encouraging signs for Everton
Squeezed out at the start, he was caught flat-footed when the pace was raised, but the penny dropped late and he saw it out well to go down by just a length.
Favourites to focus on
He stressed that the Comelec does not want to be caught flat-footed if the election is not re-scheduled.
Comelec shopping for 2019 poll supplies
John O'Shea was caught flat-footed by an Albert Adomah cross, Jason Steele was lured towards it and when Scott Hogan flicked it on, Grabban found the net.
Happy return for Lewis, but Cats deep in trouble