wrongfoot
Throw someone off
To wrongfoot someone is to catch them off balance or unprepared, putting them at a disadvantage.
The term comes from tennis and other sports, where a shot to the wrong side forces an opponent to shift weight awkwardly.
Figuratively, it describes any move that catches someone off guard: The unexpected question wrongfooted the politician.
Chiefly British.
unsettle
Cause unease or anxiety
- surpriseUnexpected event causing astonishment
- discomfitCause unease or embarrassment
- flusterAgitated confusion
catch off guard · confuse · bewilder · disorient · nonplus · rattle · unnerve · throw · perplex · baffle
feint
Deceptive mock attack
dummy · stepover · juke · sidestep · foul · offside · defender · midfielder · striker · goalkeeper
tactical advantage
wrongfootplay into someone's hands
Unwittingly benefit an adversary
set up · telegraph · prepare · show one's hand · forewarn