catch someone 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.

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 some Zs
catch some Zs
catch some Zs
catch some Zs
catch some Zs
catch somebody
catch somebody by surprise
catch somebody in the act
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catch somebody off guard
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catch someone with hand in the cookie jar
catch someone with someone or something
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catch someone with someone's hand in the till
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catch someone with their pants down
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catch someone's eye
catch someone's eye
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catch something
Catch structure
Catch the Bus
catch the devil
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catch the eye
catch the eye of
catch the eye of (someone)
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