flat-footed

flat-footed

1. Slow to react. Unprepared. Often used in the phrase "caught flat footed." That goal was my fault, guys. I got caught flat-footed on the play.
2. Clumsy and awkward. Don't trust her carrying that vase—she's so flat-footed. I would change your opening argument—it's a little flat-footed right now.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • footed
  • flat-footed, to be caught/catch
  • be caught flat-footed
  • caught
  • flat
  • be caught with (one's) trousers down
  • be caught with your pants down
  • be caught with (one's) pants down
  • caught with one's pants down, be
  • be caught on the wrong foot
References in periodicals archive
It's very difficult for him because he is so flat-footed and still a little bit weak.
Bike is a dream come true for brave Mitchell
Northern Rock still owed around pounds 9.8bn to the taxpayer as of March, but has since slowed repayments to lend an extra pounds 14bn over the next two years to help the housing market..It is not surprising when there was the run on deposits, the Treasury was caught flat-footed
Brown slammed by MPs on Rock crisis; Handling of events was 'flat-footed'
"They had to be flat-footed. They had to walk on the soles of their feet," says Clark.
Flat-footed fossil of former flyer
Otherwise, you'll be caught flat-footed if OSHA shows up at your company to perform a SEP inspection.
Prepare your foundry for OSHA's silicosis inspection program
The humor of the form lies in its purposefully flat-footed inadequacy.
clerihew
In World War II, flat feet usually led to a 4-F classification for potential draftees, the theory being that flat-footed recruits could never make it in the infantry.
No longer 4-F
Fleet-footed Portuguese midfielder Teixeira confidently swept the ball past goalkeeper Marco Silvestri from a narrow angle after a swift move down the right caught Leeds' defence flat-footed.
Teixeira on target
They were left flat-footed and exposed when Jay Smith's chip to the far post was met by an unmarked Ashley Cain after ten minutes who wrong-footed keeper Bertrand Bossu and slammed home.
Lambs tear into Burton
A sloppy passback from defender Aaron Brown caught his own keeper flat-footed and the alert Le Fondre pounced to poke home his 29th goal of season.
Le Fondre stuns Shots
There are three symptoms that indicate you should have your flat-footed child seen by a doctor:
Flat feet overdiagnosed
Orr netted with an attempted cross from the right which caught goalkeeper Steve Collis flat-footed and McCammon headed the second eight minutes later after Luke Wilk-shire's free-kick had been deflected into his path.
Football: Bristol City 2 Yeovil 1; COCA COLA LEAGUE ONE
Newcomer Carl Connolly nearly put Prescot ahead in the 25th minute when he left Frickley keeper Mark Shackleton flat-footed with a chip that came back off the bar.
Football: Connolly equaliser; Frickley Ath. . . . . . . . . . 1 Prescot Cables. . . . . . . 1
Kate's flat-footed stomping and sulking contrasted with Petruchio's wide-legged stance and determined pirouettes.
Ballet Austin
The cross was provided by Adam Arkell who scored the second himself after pouncing on a fine through ball from Craig Hutchinson to leave the Bluebirds defence flat-footed.
Football: Silly errors costly for Bluebirds but Nomads deserve their victory; Connah's Quay Nomads 3 Haverfordwest 1
She was a bit flat-footed when they kicked three out, but David [Kinsella] was always confident he was going to get there.
LINGFIELD: Boa pounces late to grab nursery spoils