catch (someone) flat-footed

To startle someone; to come upon someone unawares and/or when he or she is unprepared. Usually used in the past tense. The security guard caught the thieves flat-footed. That essay question in the exam caught me completely flat-footed.

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Volya	-	Russian (Rare)
Aleksey	ah-lyek-SYAY (Russian), ah-leek-SYAY (Russian)	Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian
Meliton	-	Ancient Greek, Georgian
Howell	-	Welsh
Bishop	['biʃəp]
Blandina	-	Ancient Roman