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
David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 9 June 2024
While Brooks are all designed based on support, this pair has extra stability, thanks to Dual Arch Pods that provide ultimate support, and a wider footbed since flat-footed folks tend to need extra room.
—Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Apr. 2024
Safe Streets, the city’s flagship violence intervention program, was one of many groups in the spotlight — in part because staff from the Brooklyn site were aware of and attended Brooklyn Day even though police were caught flat-footed.
—Darcy Costello, Baltimore Sun, 19 Mar. 2024
This flat-footed rejection of youthful idealism jeopardizes Joe Biden’s ability to secure the youth vote this fall.
—Bruce Fuller, Orange County Register, 12 May 2024
Labor appeared to be caught flat-footed when Chavez didn’t make the final cut.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2024
The conversation on computers and automation has changed lately, and Apple, which was caught flat-footed last year with the proliferation of AI, just stepped right on the rake.
—Alex Cranz, The Verge, 8 May 2024
Peloton, which had funneled money into meeting the mountain of unprecedented consumer demand, appeared to be caught flat-footed.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 3 May 2024
But the strategy employed by the lawmakers in recent weeks caught TikTok flat-footed.
—Cecilia Kang, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2024
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
This Sunday, leaders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences are determined not to get caught flat-footed.
—John Jurgensen, WSJ, 13 Mar. 2023
At the same time, Goldman Sachs said February payroll additions were probably juiced by persistent worker shortages that led many employers to pull forward spring hiring so they’re not caught flat-footed.
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2023
During the stretch, the Coyotes spoiled the Tampa Bay Lightning at home and caught the Los Angeles Kings flat-footed in a four-goal comeback on the road.
—Jenna Ortiz, The Arizona Republic, 22 Feb. 2023
That's why this fully playable first level, and a seemingly firm March 2023 release date, arriving during Steam's Next Fest demo week, caught many of those following along flat-footed.
—Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 10 Feb. 2023
Adjective
The upshift left Edmonton defenseman Cody Ceci flat-footed and Bennett beat Ceci to the puck, then threw a no-look backhand pass toward the slot that ducked under the stick of Edmonton defenseman Darnell Nurse.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 9 June 2024
While Brooks are all designed based on support, this pair has extra stability, thanks to Dual Arch Pods that provide ultimate support, and a wider footbed since flat-footed folks tend to need extra room.
—Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Apr. 2024
Safe Streets, the city’s flagship violence intervention program, was one of many groups in the spotlight — in part because staff from the Brooklyn site were aware of and attended Brooklyn Day even though police were caught flat-footed.
—Darcy Costello, Baltimore Sun, 19 Mar. 2024
This flat-footed rejection of youthful idealism jeopardizes Joe Biden’s ability to secure the youth vote this fall.
—Bruce Fuller, Orange County Register, 12 May 2024
Labor appeared to be caught flat-footed when Chavez didn’t make the final cut.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2024
The conversation on computers and automation has changed lately, and Apple, which was caught flat-footed last year with the proliferation of AI, just stepped right on the rake.
—Alex Cranz, The Verge, 8 May 2024
Peloton, which had funneled money into meeting the mountain of unprecedented consumer demand, appeared to be caught flat-footed.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 3 May 2024
But the strategy employed by the lawmakers in recent weeks caught TikTok flat-footed.
—Cecilia Kang, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2024
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
This Sunday, leaders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences are determined not to get caught flat-footed.
—John Jurgensen, WSJ, 13 Mar. 2023
At the same time, Goldman Sachs said February payroll additions were probably juiced by persistent worker shortages that led many employers to pull forward spring hiring so they’re not caught flat-footed.
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2023
During the stretch, the Coyotes spoiled the Tampa Bay Lightning at home and caught the Los Angeles Kings flat-footed in a four-goal comeback on the road.
—Jenna Ortiz, The Arizona Republic, 22 Feb. 2023
That's why this fully playable first level, and a seemingly firm March 2023 release date, arriving during Steam's Next Fest demo week, caught many of those following along flat-footed.
—Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 10 Feb. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flat-footed.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near flat-footed
Cite this Entry
“Flat-footed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flat-footed. Accessed 17 Jun. 2024.
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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