flatfooted
Without arched soles
Flatfooted describes feet with collapsed arches that rest flat on the ground, or a person with such feet.
More commonly, flatfooted means unprepared or caught off guard: The question caught him flatfooted.
In sports, being flatfooted means standing with weight on the heels rather than the balls of the feet, unable to move quickly.
To come out flatfooted is to state something bluntly and without hedging.
Seized or grabbed
- unawaresWithout prior knowledge
- surprisedCaught unawares
- off-guardNot anticipating trouble
- unreadyNot yet prepared
vulnerable · blindsided · ambushed · wrongfooted · ill-prepared · disarmed · defenseless · exposed
Lacking grace or ease
- lumberingMoving heavily and awkwardly
- ungainlyLacking ease of movement
- heavy-footedWalking loud and clumsily
- ploddingMoving slowly, heavily
graceless · uncoordinated · stumbling · shuffling · leaden · ponderous · stolid · galumphing
Informal term for detective
- sleuthPrivate investigator
- copLaw enforcement slang
- beatRhythmic pulse or strike
- patrolRegular surveillance route
investigator · plainclothes · precinct · badge · constable · officer · dick · shamus
Dull or tactlessly direct
- forthrightDirectly honest in manner
- candidHonest and direct
- plain-spokenSpeaking without ornament
- unvarnishedWithout embellishment or coating
frank · point-blank · matter-of-fact · undiplomatic · tactless · brusque · outspoken · unfiltered
caught
Seized or grabbed
unready · vulnerable · blindsided · ambushed · wrongfooted · ill-prepared · disarmed · defenseless · exposed · overtaken
awkward
Lacking grace or ease
- lumberingMoving heavily and awkwardly
- ungainlyLacking ease of movement
- heavy-footedWalking loud and clumsily
plodding · graceless · uncoordinated · stumbling · shuffling · leaden · ponderous · stolid · galumphing · hulking
gumshoe
Informal term for detective
patrol · investigator · plainclothes · precinct · badge · constable · officer · dick · shamus · peeler
blunt
Dull or tactlessly direct
- forthrightDirectly honest in manner
- candidHonest and direct
- plain-spokenSpeaking without ornament
unvarnished · frank · point-blank · matter-of-fact · undiplomatic · tactless · brusque · outspoken · unfiltered · unsparing
- unreadyunprepared, ill-prepared, ill-equipped, unready, not ready
- clumsyclumsy, awkward, bumbling, bungling, fumbling
flatfootednimble
Quick and light-moving
agile · light-footed · sure-footed · graceful · lithe