be flat-footed
1. To be unprepared or slow to react. That goal was my fault, guys. I was flat-footed on the play. The company has been somewhat flat-footed in its response to the scandal. We all know what we're supposed to be doing, right? Because once we go in there and start breaking into the safe, no one can be flat-footed.
2. To be 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 as it is. Though he raised some interesting points, his writing was flat-footed throughout most of his term paper.
flatfoot
slang A police officer. Please, that old flatfoot will never be able to catch up to us once we run out of the store. Look, if that flatfoot shines his spotlight on us, we'll be handcuffed in no time! We got away from the flatfoot, only to be apprehended by a concern citizen. Ugh, so much for avoiding the police station.
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. The company has been somewhat flat-footed in its response to the scandal. We all know what we're supposed to be doing, right? Because once we go in there and start breaking into the safe, no one can be flat-footed.
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. Though he raised some interesting points, his writing was flat-footed throughout most of his term paper.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.