blindside

[ blahynd-sahyd ]

verb (used with object)

, blind·sid·ed, blind·sid·ing.

1. Sports. to tackle, hit, or attack (an opponent) from the blind side:

   The quarterback was blindsided and had the ball knocked out of his hand.

2. to attack critically where a person is vulnerable, uninformed, etc.:

   The president was blindsided by the press on the latest tax bill.

Word History and Origins

Origin of blindside¹

First recorded in 1970–75; verb use of noun phrase blind side

Example Sentences

Determined not to be blindsided a second time, I steeled myself for the return of this relentless specter in 2024.

From Salon

Some recipients may have been blindsided by Ray’s demand for the return of contributions that were originally made in 2021 or 2022, when Bankman-Fried was trying to build up his stature.

From Los Angeles Times

She later revealed that she had been blindsided by the policy, and had told Trump privately that she did not support it.

From BBC

Hours later, LaPaglia wrote on her Instagram story that she was “really blindsided” and shared plans to “hop off social media for a while and attempt to heal privately.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Hey guys I’m feeling really blindsided right now,” the internet personality said on her Instagram story, sharing plans to “hop off social media for a while and attempt to heal privately.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bump
• concussion
• impact
• jab
• jolt
• kick
• punch
• shock
• slap
• stroke
• uppercut