blindsiding
Hitting without warning
Blindsiding is catching someone completely off guard, usually with unwelcome news or an unexpected attack.
The image comes from the blind side—the direction you can't see.
A blindsiding blow in football comes from outside the player's field of vision.
Figuratively, anything that shocks because it wasn't anticipated blindsides: The layoffs blindsided everyone.
I was blindsided by the breakup.
Not anticipated beforehand
- unanticipatedNot predicted beforehand
- suddenOccurring without prior notice
- abruptSharp and unexpected
- caught-off-guardSurprised without warning
unprepared · startling · shocking · jarring · jolting · unaware · unpredicted · unforeseen
Surprise strike from concealment
- tackleGear or takedown
- hitSuccessful contact or strike
- strikeForceful impact or stoppage
- assaultViolent offensive act
charge · rushing · sack · check · blow · impact · collision · flattened
Intense sudden wonder
- bewildermentState of being baffled
- stupefactionMental numbness from shock
- dumbfoundedRendered speechless by surprise
- flabbergastedOverwhelmed with amazement
disbelief · incredulity · thunderstruck · gobsmacked · speechless · reeling · staggered · floored
Covert betrayal of trust
- double-crossTreacherous deception of partner
- treacheryDeliberate violation of trust
- disloyaltyBreach of allegiance
- selloutCompromiser of integrity
undermining · deceit · duplicity · two-faced · turncoat · sucker-punched · set-up · manipulation
Causing false beliefs
- underhandedSecretly dishonest or unfair
- sneakyStealthily deceptive
- cunningSly, scheming cleverness
- deceitfulInclined to mislead others
sly · insidious · covert · hidden · concealed · disguised · camouflaged · misdirection
At the sides of
- misdirectionIntentional focus manipulation
- feintDeceptive mock attack
- diversionRedirection of attention
- distractionThing diverting one's attention
decoy · outmaneuvering · end-run · guerrilla · counterintelligence · false-flag · smokescreen
unexpected
Not anticipated beforehand
- unanticipatedNot predicted beforehand
- suddenOccurring without prior notice
- abruptSharp and unexpected
caught-off-guard · unprepared · startling · shocking · jarring · jolting · unaware · unpredicted · unforeseen · unannounced
ambush
Surprise strike from concealment
assault · charge · rushing · sack · check · blow · impact · collision · flattened · leveled
astonishment
Intense sudden wonder
- bewildermentState of being baffled
- stupefactionMental numbness from shock
- dumbfoundedRendered speechless by surprise
flabbergasted · disbelief · incredulity · thunderstruck · gobsmacked · speechless · reeling · staggered · floored · shell-shocked
backstabbing
Covert betrayal of trust
- double-crossTreacherous deception of partner
- treacheryDeliberate violation of trust
- disloyaltyBreach of allegiance
sellout · undermining · deceit · duplicity · two-faced · turncoat · sucker-punched · set-up · manipulation · exploitation
misleading
Causing false beliefs
- underhandedSecretly dishonest or unfair
- sneakyStealthily deceptive
- cunningSly, scheming cleverness
deceitful · sly · insidious · covert · hidden · concealed · disguised · camouflaged · misdirection · subterfuge
flanking
At the sides of
- misdirectionIntentional focus manipulation
- feintDeceptive mock attack
- diversionRedirection of attention
distraction · decoy · outmaneuvering · end-run · guerrilla · counterintelligence · false-flag · smokescreen
- deceptionlie, lies, lying, fake, fraud
- low blowscheap shot, low blow, sucker punch, below the belt, hit below the belt
blindsidingforewarning
Notice of future trouble
alerting · preparing · telegraphing · tipping off · notifying
side, blind, blindness, siding, unseeing, sightless, unsighted, blindside, blindsided