flatfooted
Americanadjective
-
having flatfeet.
-
taking or showing an uncompromising stand in a matter; firm and explicit.
a flatfooted denial.
-
clumsy or plodding; maladroit.
flatfooted writing.
idioms
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of flatfooted
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.
"Some want to clear their name and move on. Others hope to catch the prosecution flatfooted and unprepared for trial."
From Salon ● Aug. 24, 2023
Cities have been caught flatfooted as thousands of electric scooters have appeared, almost overnight, on their streets.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 19, 2023
Music director Michelle Do seems to be typing out the score on keyboard, the sound seemingly piped in from a derelict stereo to accompany the flatfooted march of Frolov’s rambling lyrics.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 15, 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
Ramona ran as flatfooted as possible, trying to get the maximum noise out of her open galoshes.
From "Nine Stories" by J. D. Salinger
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
