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.

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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catch off guard
catch on
catch on with (one)
catch one off
catch one's breath
catch one's death (of a cold), to
catch one's death (of cold)
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catch up in (something)
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catch sight of you
catch some rays
catch some shuteye
catch some Z's
catch some Z's
catch some Z's
catch some Zs
catch some Zs
catch some Zs
catch some Zs
catch some Zs
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catch somebody in the act
catch somebody napping
catch somebody off guard
catch somebody on the hop
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catch somebody red-handed
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catch somebody with somebody's fingers in the till
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catch someone with someone's hand in the till
catch someone with their hand in the cookie jar
catch someone with their pants down
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Catch structure
Catch the Bus
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catch the eye of (someone)
catch the eye of her
catch the eye of him
catch the eye of me
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catch the eye of us
catch the eye of you
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