| 释义 |
wrong-foot, v. trans.
(stress variable)
[f. wrong a. + foot n.]
1. In tennis, football, etc.: (by deceptive play) to cause (an opponent) to have his balance on the wrong foot.
1928[implied at the vbl. n. below]. 1959Times 7 Sept. 15/5 Viney and Hasty caught the defence wrong-footed. 1960E. S. & W. J. Higham High Speed Rugby xi. 136 You could pick up the ball as though to go one side, and then, having picked up the ball, swing to the other side... It will wrong-foot the attackers, thereby giving you more time for your kick. 1960Times 29 Nov. 17/4 Truman found himself being wrong-footed by masked drop-shots [in squash rackets]. 1967J. Potter Foul Play (1968) ii. 28 The younger Fitch was holding forth about his patent method of wrong-footing full backs. 1976Dexter & Makins Testkill 21 Abbott, playing back instinctively, was wrong-footed, bat adrift in his hands.
2. fig. To disconcert by an unexpected move; to catch unprepared.
1957F. Hoyle Black Cloud iv. 79 ‘Let me tell you..that the Government has made enquiries and we are not at all satisfied with the accuracy of your report.’ Kingsley was wrong-footed. 1963‘W. Haggard’ High Wire xii. 130 The tall man's technique was precisely calculated to put him at a disadvantage... Somehow they could always wrong-foot you. 1971A. Hunter Gently at Gallop xii. 128 They sensed he was close, and they were trying to wrong-foot him. 1983Listener 6 Jan. 5/1 What happens in Washington, Moscow and Geneva will leave British political leaders moving quickly in order not to be wrong-footed. 1984Daily Tel. 5 July 1/2 A walk-out would wrong-foot the union in its endeavour to appear ready for negotiations at all times.
Hence wrong-footing vbl. n. and ppl. a.
1928Daily Tel. 7 Aug. 12/3 His ground strokes had not the same speed and polish as Austin's, nor could he steer all his volleys into the same wrong-footing area. 1971Laver & Collins Educ. of Tennis Player xvi. 216 Wrong-footing is hitting to the place your opponent has just vacated. 1980Sunday Times 17 Apr. 42/5 They emerge as wry, reflective, deliberately wrong-footing to outsiders. |