be flat footed Idiom
	caught flatfooted
not ready to respond, mind in neutral Esposito was caught flatfooted by Lemaire's slapshot - an easy goal!
flatfooted
(See caught flatfooted)
flat-footed|flat|flat feet|flat foot|flatfoot|foot
adj., 
informal 1. Straightforward; forthright; direct; outright. 
The governor issued a flat-footed denial of the accusation. He came out flat-footed against the idea. 2. Not ready; not prepared; 

 usually used with "catch". 
The teacher's question caught Tim flat-footed. Unexpected company at lunch time caught Mrs. Green flat-footed.
heavy-footed|foot|footed|heavy
adj. 1. Slow and clumsy in walking or movement; awkward in using your feet. 
The fat man tried to dance, but he was too heavy-footed. Martha is not fat, but she is heavy-footed and walks noisily. 2. Awkward in choice and order of words; not smooth and graceful; clumsy. 
In Mary's compositions, the words seem to dance, but John's compositions are always heavy-footed. 3. or lead-footed 
informal Likely to drive an automobile fast. 
Jerry is a bad driver because he is too heavy-footed. Compare: STEP ON IT.
caught flat-footed
caught flat-footed Caught unprepared, taken by surprise, as in 
The reporter's question caught the President flat-footed. This usage comes from one or another sport in which a player should be on his or her toes, ready to act. [c. 1900]
flat-footed
flat-footed see 
caught flat-footed.
be flat-footed
1. To be extemporaneous or apathetic to react. That ambition was my fault, guys. I was flat-footed on the play. The aggregation has been somewhat flat-footed in its acknowledgment to the scandal.2. To be clumsy and awkward. Don't assurance her accustomed that vase—she's so flat-footed. I would change your aperture argument—it's a little flat-footed as it is.			
		
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