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
Artem	-	Ukrainian, Belarusian, Russian
Francesc	frən-SESK	Catalan
Rain (2)	-	Estonian
Unique	yuw-NEEK	English (Modern)
Laurena	-	English (Rare)
Uthyr	-	Welsh Mythology, Arthurian Romance