wrong-footing
Throwing someone off-balance
Wrong-footing is catching someone off balance or unprepared, forcing them into an awkward position.
The term comes from sports like tennis, where hitting to the wrong foot leaves an opponent unable to respond effectively.
In broader use, it describes any tactical move that puts someone at a disadvantage: The question wrong-footed the minister.
To wrong-foot is to execute such a maneuver.
Deceptive mock attack
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
- ployCalculated deceptive tactic
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
- outmaneuverDefeat through superior tactics
countermove · stratagem · misdirection · diversion · dummy · juke · deception · bluff
Cause false belief
- misdirectLead away from truth
- trickDeliberate deception
- foolUnwise, gullible person
- dupeDeceive or victim
bamboozle · hoodwink · beguile · double-cross · con · bluff · feign · dissemble
Disturb composure or poise
- discomfitCause unease or embarrassment
- unnerveDisturb someone's composure
- rattleShaking sound maker
- flusterAgitated confusion
throw-off · destabilize · unbalance · discompose · agitate · perturb · shake · intimidate
Surprise strike from concealment
- blindsideSurprise with unexpected force
- startleFrighten suddenly
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- joltAbrupt forceful shake
unexpected · suddenness · unpredictability · astonishment · wrongfoot · disbelief · curveball · sucker-punch
feint
Deceptive mock attack
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
- ployCalculated deceptive tactic
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
outmaneuver · countermove · stratagem · misdirection · diversion · dummy · juke · deception · bluff · setup
mislead
Cause false belief
dupe · bamboozle · hoodwink · beguile · double-cross · con · bluff · feign · dissemble · sucker
disconcert
Disturb composure or poise
fluster · throw-off · destabilize · unbalance · discompose · agitate · perturb · shake · intimidate · faze
ambush
Surprise strike from concealment
jolt · unexpected · suddenness · unpredictability · astonishment · wrongfoot · disbelief · curveball · sucker-punch · bushwhack
wrong-footingtelegraphing
Inadvertently revealing intentions
forewarning · tipping off · signaling · alerting · preparing
wrong-footingfrontal assault
Attack from the front
direct approach · forthrightness · plain dealing · laying cards on the table · candor
wrong-footingsteadying
Making less shaky
stabilizing · grounding · setting up · readying · bracing
wrong, foot, wronged, wrongly, wrongful, wrongfully, wrongness, wrongs, wronging