flat-foot·ed
ˈflat-ˌfu̇-təd 
ˌflat-ˈfu̇-
1
: affected with flatfoot
broadly
: walking with a dragging or shambling gait
2
a
: firm and well balanced on the feet
b
: free from reservation : forthright
had an honest flat-footed way of saying a thing
3
: not ready : unprepared
—used chiefly in the phrase catch one flat-footed
4
: proceeding in a plodding or unimaginative way : pedestrian
flat-footed prose
flat-footedly
adverb
flat-footedness
noun
1
: in an open and determined manner : flatly
2
: with the feet flat on a surface (such as the ground)
Examples of flat-footed in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Samantha-Jo Roth, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 22 Feb. 2025
As of today, the auto marketplace reminds us worryingly of the 1970s, when the Big Three were caught flat-footed by Toyota and other companies making smaller cars that outsold American gas guzzlers when oil prices shot up.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
Jim McBride, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Mar. 2023
The furor around the chatbot has also stoked interest in new startups building or using similar AI technology and has left some companies feeling flat-footed.
—Will Knight, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for flat-footed
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Adjective
Democrats have been caught flat-footed and have struggled to respond to the sheer volume of executive orders, personnel changes, and policy shifts taking place one month since Trump’s inauguration.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 22 Feb. 2025
As of today, the auto marketplace reminds us worryingly of the 1970s, when the Big Three were caught flat-footed by Toyota and other companies making smaller cars that outsold American gas guzzlers when oil prices shot up.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
Adverb
In his best days, Flowers was used on the edge, where his speed and strength would often catch tackles by surprise and leave them flat-footed in their backpedal.
—Jim McBride, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Mar. 2023
The furor around the chatbot has also stoked interest in new startups building or using similar AI technology and has left some companies feeling flat-footed.
—Will Knight, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for flat-footed
Cite this Entry
“Flat-footed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flat-footed. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
flat-footed
adjective
flat-foot·ed
-ˈfu̇t-əd
: affected with flatfoot
broadly
: walking with a dragging or shambling gait
flat-footedly
adverb
flat-footedness
noun
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