wrong-foots
Throws off balance
Wrong-foots is the third-person singular of wrong-foot, meaning to catch someone off balance or unprepared.
The term comes from sports like tennis, where hitting to an opponent's wrong foot forces an awkward return.
Figuratively, it means to put someone at a disadvantage through surprise: The unexpected question wrong-foots even experienced politicians.
Causes social discomfort
- catches outExposes someone's error
- trips upCauses to err
- exposesMakes visible or known
- disconcertsDisturbs someone's composure
unsettles · discomfits · unmasks · surprises · confuses · disorients · startles · shocks
Removes threat potential
- stumpsCut tree bases
- blindsidesSurprises with unexpected impact
- outflanksBypasses an opponent's position
- surprisesUnanticipated occurrences
confounds · outsmarts · undercuts · undermines · destabilizes · throws · rattles · flusters
Mock offensive movements
- dummiesLifelike human replicas
- sidestepsEvades by moving aside
- misdirectsSends the wrong way
- outmaneuversDefeats through superior tactics
wrongfoots · deceives · fakes · tricks · jukes · shifts · unbalances · wrongfooted
embarrasses
Causes social discomfort
- catches outExposes someone's error
- trips upCauses to err
- exposesMakes visible or known
disconcerts · unsettles · discomfits · unmasks · surprises · confuses · disorients · startles · shocks · flummoxes
disarms
Removes threat potential
- stumpsCut tree bases
- blindsidesSurprises with unexpected impact
- outflanksBypasses an opponent's position
surprises · confounds · outsmarts · undercuts · undermines · destabilizes · throws · rattles · flusters · wrongfoots
feints
Mock offensive movements
- dummiesLifelike human replicas
- sidestepsEvades by moving aside
- misdirectsSends the wrong way
outmaneuvers · wrongfoots · deceives · fakes · tricks · jukes · shifts · unbalances · wrongfooted · outwits
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