Definition of "wrongfoot" [wrongfoot]

• To play the ball in an unexpected direction, forcing the opponent to change direction suddenly (verb)
• To catch someone off balance (verb)
• To place someone at a tactical disadvantage (verb)

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• "Not only was the president not interested in using diplomacy to avert war, to the contrary, the only reason for the diplomacy in the first place was the mistaken belief that it would "wrongfoot" Saddam, who would provide a provocation for attack by rejecting weapons inspectors."
• "Amundsen had concealed his plans to wrongfoot the competition."
• "He has no interest in starting that relationship in a very exclusive and intense club off on the wrongfoot."