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
Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2024
Government transparency will reduce the chances that society is caught flat-footed by a tech company developing AGI before anyone else is expecting.
—Daniel Colson, TIME, 18 Oct. 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
See all Example Sentences for flat-footed 
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Adjective
The Packers sank the Bears 33-28 as Aaron Rodgers connected with Randall Cobb with 38 seconds remaining for a 48-yard touchdown on fourth-and-8 as free safety Chris Conte got caught standing flat-footed.
—Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2024
Government transparency will reduce the chances that society is caught flat-footed by a tech company developing AGI before anyone else is expecting.
—Daniel Colson, TIME, 18 Oct. 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
See all Example Sentences for flat-footed
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 26 Nov. 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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