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flatfooted

American  
[flat-foot-id] / ˈflætˈfʊt ɪd /

adjective

  1. having flatfeet.

  2. taking or showing an uncompromising stand in a matter; firm and explicit.

    a flatfooted denial.

  3. clumsy or plodding; maladroit.

    flatfooted writing.


idioms

  1. catch one flatfooted, to catch one unprepared; surprise.

    The amount of the bill caught us flatfooted.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of flatfooted

First recorded in 1595–1605; flatfoot + -ed 3

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Cities have been caught flatfooted as thousands of electric scooters have appeared, almost overnight, on their streets.

From Seattle Times Aug. 19, 2023

They didn't have any soles on them and I walked sort of flatfooted and raw.

From Salon Jun. 2, 2023

Last year was the year the Fed got caught flatfooted by the highest levels of inflation seen in 40 years.

From Reuters Jan. 18, 2023

The answers form the broader message Sund delivers, calling out systemic failures that left his agency and the country flatfooted despite clear signs intelligence agencies had received of a gathering storm.

From Washington Post Jan. 1, 2023

She could stand flatfooted and jump out of a well.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

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