(put/catch somebody) on the back foot In english explanation

The meaning, explanation, definition and origin of the idiom/phrase "(put/catch somebody) on the back foot", English Idiom Dictionary ( also found in Vietnamese )

author Jenne Phuong calendar 2021-07-06 03:07

Meaning of (put/catch somebody) on the back foot

Synonyms:

to be thrown off balance , to be on the ropes

(put/catch somebody) on the back foot verb phrase

To put somebody in a difficult or disadvantageous situation

The Covid-19 outbreak has put the national economy on the back foot.

The unexpected problem caught me on the wrong foot.

Grammar and Usage of (put/catch somebody) on the back foot

Verb Forms

  • to (put/catch somebody) on the back foot
  • (putting/catching somebody) on the back foot
  • (puts/catches somebody) on the back foot
  • (put/caught somebody) on the back foot

The verb "put" and "catch" should be conjugated according to their tense. 

Origin of (put/catch somebody) on the back foot

"on the back foot" is a phrase that is most probably derived from the sport of cricket. A stance where most of the player’s weight is on the back foot refers to a situation in which he is delivering a defensive stroke.

The Origin Cited: grammarist.com .
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TODAY
box clever
- to act or behave in a clever way to get what you want
- to act skillfully and cunning or deceitly to achive the goal
Example: - If you want to evade the traffic police, you have to box clever
- If you box clever and concentrate, maybe you can trick the teacher
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