They were caught flat-footed by the attack.

他们冷不防遭到了攻击。

《牛津词典》

This prisoner was trying to escape but was caught flat-footed in attempt.

有两个囚犯企图逃走，但就在逃跑当中被抓获了。

youdao

Once again, Lehman's management has been caught flat-footed by the severity of the credit crunch, pessimists might say.

悲观主义者可能会说，雷曼兄弟管理层再一次被信贷紧缩的严重性搞得措手不及。

youdao

It is, in such a circumstance, easy to get caught flat-footed by pursuing yesterday's strategy today.

CNN: Going to the People

Lawmakers, lobbyists, and even mainstream beltway advocacy groups fighting the bills were caught flat-footed, and retreated.

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It was caught flat-footed when young athletes stopped playing multiple sports, which had required lots of different shoes and apparel.

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