flat-footed

Describes someone who is clumsy, awkward, or unprepared; can also refer to a literal medical condition of having flat feet.

• 🇫🇷Décrit quelqu'un de maladroit, gauche ou non préparé; peut aussi se référer à l'état médical littéral des pieds plats.

1. Physical condition B2 formal

   Having a condition where the arches of the feet are flattened, causing the entire sole to touch the ground.

   • The doctor diagnosed him as flat-footed and recommended special insoles.
   • Being flat-footed can sometimes cause discomfort during long walks.
   • Many children are born flat-footed but develop arches as they grow.

   🇫🇷pied plat

   Synonymes: splayfooted

2. Unprepared or slow to react B2 informal

   Caught off guard and unable to respond quickly or effectively to a situation.

   • The sudden question caught him flat-footed during the interview.
   • The team was caught flat-footed by the opponent's unexpected strategy.
   • She was left flat-footed when the boss asked for an immediate update.

   🇫🇷pris au dépourvu

   Synonymes: off guardunpreparedunready

   Antonymes: alertpreparedquickreadyvigilant

3. Without reservation C1 informal american

   Expressing something directly and completely, without hesitation or qualification.

   • He gave a flat-footed denial of all the accusations.
   • Her flat-footed refusal surprised everyone in the room.
   • The politician made a flat-footed statement supporting the new policy.

   🇫🇷Sans réserve

   Synonymes: absolutebluntcategoricaldirectflatoutrightpoint-blankunequivocalunqualifiedunreserved

   Antonymes: evasiveguardedqualifiedreserved

• more flat-footed comparative form
• most flat-footed superlative form