The Britannica Dictionary
mobile search
Home
Ask the Editor
Word of the Day
Quizzes
Core Vocabulary
Browse the Dictionary
×
Britannica Homepage
Ask the Editor
Word of the Day
Quizzes
Core Vocabulary
Browse the Dictionary
The Britannica Dictionary
flat–footed
1 ENTRIES FOUND:
flat–footed
(adjective)
flat–footed
/
ˈ
flætˌfʊtəd/
adjective
flat–footed
/
ˈ
flætˌfʊtəd/
adjective
Britannica Dictionary definition of FLAT–FOOTED
1
a
:
having flat feet
a
flat-footed
man
[+] more examples
[-] hide examples
[+] Example sentences
[-] Hide examples
b
:
walking or moving in a slow and awkward way
a clumsy,
flat-footed
new recruit
[+] more examples
[-] hide examples
[+] Example sentences
[-] Hide examples
2
chiefly US, informal
:
not ready or prepared
—
usually used in the phrase
catch flat-footed
The surprise announcement of his candidacy
caught
his opponents
flat-footed
. [=his opponents were not prepared for his announcement]
[+] more examples
[-] hide examples
[+] Example sentences
[-] Hide examples
ASK THE EDITOR
What are the plural forms of
check-in
,
passerby
, and
spoonful
?
See the answer »
QUIZZES
Vocabulary Quiz
Test your word power
Take the Quiz »
Name That Thing
Take our visual quiz
Test Your Knowledge »
WORD OF THE DAY
scrumptious
:
very pleasant to taste (
informal
)
Learn More »