wrong-foot
Catch off balance
To wrong-foot someone is to catch them off balance or unprepared, putting them at a disadvantage.
The term comes from sports like tennis, where hitting the ball to the opposite side from where your opponent is moving forces an awkward recovery.
Figuratively, it means to surprise someone in a way that leaves them struggling to respond: The unexpected question wrong-footed the politician.
Chiefly British.
- throw offConfuse or evade
- disconcertDisturb composure or poise
- unbalanceDisturb stability or composure
- discomfitCause unease or embarrassment
rattle · fluster · wrongfoot · surprise · disorient · confuse · perplex · faze
- outmaneuverDefeat through superior tactics
- feintDeceptive mock attack
- dummyLifelike substitute figure
- sidestepEvade by moving aside
shift · fake out · beat · nutmeg · juke · stepover · off balance · anticipate
Defeat through superior tactics
- outsmartDefeat through superior cunning
- outwitBeat through superior cunning
- countermoveResponding strategic action
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
ploy · feint · bluff · misdirect · decoy · diversion · trap · ambush
Bypass an opponent's position
- get the better ofPrevail against another
- one-upmanshipQuest to surpass others
- catch nappingSurprise someone off-guard
- steal a marchGain advantage through stealth
preempt · blindside · edge · leverage · exploit · capitalize · press · dominate
catch off guard
- throw offConfuse or evade
- disconcertDisturb composure or poise
- unbalanceDisturb stability or composure
discomfit · rattle · fluster · wrongfoot · surprise · disorient · confuse · perplex · faze · unnerve
catch off guard
- outmaneuverDefeat through superior tactics
- feintDeceptive mock attack
- dummyLifelike substitute figure
sidestep · shift · fake out · beat · nutmeg · juke · stepover · off balance · anticipate · commit
outmaneuver
Defeat through superior tactics
- outsmartDefeat through superior cunning
- outwitBeat through superior cunning
- countermoveResponding strategic action
gambit · ploy · feint · bluff · misdirect · decoy · diversion · trap · ambush · ruse
outflank
Bypass an opponent's position
- get the better ofPrevail against another
- one-upmanshipQuest to surpass others
- catch nappingSurprise someone off-guard
steal a march · preempt · blindside · edge · leverage · exploit · capitalize · press · dominate · control