Definition of "flat-footed" in English

adjective

1. Of an animal: having feet which are naturally flat; (specifically) of a horse: having hoofs with soles close to the ground.

   • Bears are flat-footed animals.

2. Of a person: having the physical condition of flat feet (“a condition where the soles of the feet are in full contact with the ground, either because the arches have collapsed or because they never developed”).

3. (by extension) Of a thing (especially (rail transport) a rail): having a flat base; flat-bottomed.

4. Blunt and unsubtle; lacking finesse; clumsy.

5. Unprepared, unready.

   • They were caught flat-footed when Clancy filed to enter the race.

6. Direct, downright, straightforward; also, holding firmly to and maintaining a decision; standing one's ground.

verb

1. simple past and past participle of flat-foot.