Definition of "flatfooted"

Most small children are flatfooted.

2011, Peg Tittle -, Critical Thinking: An Appeal to Reason

If that is not a flatfooted disregard of what this committee said was bad taste, I do not know what it is.

1956, United States. Congress. House. Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, Advertising of Alcoholic Beverages

I have many top ranked sectional and national level kids come to my program and I cannot even believe how flatfooted they are—not because they lack the talent—simply because no coach ever demanded the extra footwork effort from them.

2010, Chris Lewit -, Tennis Technique Bible Volume One, page 20

This flatfooted sketch of how experience provides us with reasons has two nodes.

2010, Scott Aikin, Epistemology and the Regress Problem

It's contrived and flatfooted, and neither Loy nor Powell enjoyed making it, despite its bang-up finale: a free-for-all wedding featuring two brides (Margit and Irene), two grooms, a confused preacher, quite a few drunks from the bar next door, and a maximum of conmmotion -- all crammed into Charlie's tiny trailer in a Capra-esque crowd scene.

2011, Emily W. Leider, Myrna Loy: The Only Good Girl in Hollywood

Caught mentally flatfooted, Anne couldn't think of a response.

2010, Tami Hoag, Deeper than the Dead

No one should be caught flatfooted by the lengthening of middle age

2011, David D. Corbett, Portfolio Life: The New Path to Work, Purpose, and Passion After 50

In contrast, as the crisis unfolded, India stood flatfooted, only reacting after the damage was done.

2014, Luke Patey, The New Kings of Crude

"He claimed that Jews walk flatfooted like a camel— including me.

1980, Peter Hellman, Avenue of the Righteous, page 82

Hit take-off board flatfooted in a hard stamp; take-off feet under body with slight dip at knee.

1988, Carmen Tabije Andin, Teaching Physical Education in Philippine Schools, page 147

The figure came up and squatted flatfooted on his haunches next to Patsy.

2010, F. Paul Wilson, The Touch: Book III of the Adversary Cycle

Proficient drinkers could spill out an ounce, or an ounce and a half, or two, from the neck of a Solo Soda bottle in the dark, measured to the very dram, refill it with corn whisky, turn it upside down with the thumb placed carefully over the bottle's lip— for a good mix, and luck— and drink it down, flatfooted.

1952, William T. Campbell, Big Beverage, page 269