flat-footed

ADJECTIVE

off-guard

Synonyms

WEAK

asleep asleep on the job daydreaming inattentive napping spaced out unalert unready unsuspecting unvigilant unwatchful zoned out

ADVERB

off-guard

Synonyms

WEAK

asleep asleep at the switch derelict napping negligent not on the job unalert unguarded unprepared unready unwatchful

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.

Still, when ChatGPT arrived in late 2022, Amazon was caught flat-footed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

Gomez raced clear of the flat-footed Newcastle defence and fired against the near post.

From Barron's • Nov. 5, 2025

Caught flat-footed by 9/11, the CIA requested new authorities as the only way to catch up to the threat.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 4, 2025

This left officials flat-footed when the numbers began to surge.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 10, 2025

I stood waiting, bent forward with my feet apart, flat-footed, till they ended their interminable orations.

From "Grendel" by John Gardner