blindsided

American  

[blahynd-sahy-did] / ˈblaɪndˌsaɪ dɪd /

adjective

1. Sports. tackled, hit, or attacked by an opponent on the blind side, out of the player’s field of vision.

   The blindsided offensive lineman was taken down by the defensive tackle coming around the other way.

2. attacked critically or taken by surprise where one is vulnerable, uninformed or unprepared, etc..

   Told by a cryptic university official that his keynote address was being canceled “for political reasons,” the blindsided philanthropist was left searching for answers.

3. (of such an attack, tackle, etc.) delivered from the blind side, unexpectedly, or in a way that exposes or takes advantage of a vulnerability.

   A staff meeting is no place for a blindsided assault on an administrator.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of blindside.

Etymology

Origin of blindsided

First recorded in 1985–90; blindside + -ed ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; blindside + -ed ¹ ( def. ) for the verb sense

Example Sentences

Smith said investors were blindsided by Powell’s claim that he plans to remain at the Fed until a federal investigation into repairs of the central bank’s headquarters has been completely put to rest.

From MarketWatch

But in December, the foundation staff were blindsided when they were told it was shutting down, according to people who worked with it.

From The Wall Street Journal

Investors and builders were blindsided by the move and say it would effectively dismantle the single-family rental business for large companies and real-estate investment trusts—and lead to higher housing costs.

From The Wall Street Journal

Still, new technologies have blindsided these firms before.

From The Wall Street Journal

That gap is why many couples feel blindsided.

From MarketWatch