blindsided: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal to neutral. Common in journalism, business, sports, and everyday conversation.
Quick answer
What does “blindsided” mean?
to be hit or attacked from an unexpected direction.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to be hit or attacked from an unexpected direction; to be caught completely by surprise.
Figuratively, to be surprised by an event, news, or development that one should have anticipated but failed to prepare for.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use the term identically in meaning and register. The origin is from American football/sports commentary, but it is now fully naturalised in British English.
Connotations
Identical. Slightly more established in American English due to its sporting origin.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English, but common in both.
Grammar
How to Use “blindsided” in a Sentence
[Subject] was blindsided by [Agent/Event][Agent/Event] blindsided [Subject]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blindsided” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The minister was blindsided by the leaked report during Prime Minister's Questions.
- The market turmoil blindsided investors who were expecting stability.
American English
- The new policy blindsided small business owners.
- He got blindsided by questions about his past during the interview.
adverb
British English
- He reacted blindsidedly to the proposal, having read none of the briefing papers.
American English
- She stared blindsidedly at the contract, realizing its implications too late.
adjective
British English
- She gave a blindsided look to her colleague when the accusation was made.
- The team's blindsided defence cost them the match.
American English
- The blindsided candidate had no prepared response.
- There was a blindsided reaction from the company's leadership.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The CEO was blindsided by the board's sudden vote of no confidence.
Academic
The scientific community was blindsided by the novel findings that contradicted established theory.
Everyday
I was completely blindsided when she told me she was moving abroad.
Technical
In American football, the quarterback was blindsided by a linebacker he didn't see.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “blindsided”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “blindsided”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blindsided”
- Using it for positive surprises (e.g., 'I was blindsided by the birthday party' is odd).
- Confusing it with 'blind-sided' (should be one word).
- Using active voice incorrectly (e.g., 'The news blindsided to me' — correct: 'The news blindsided me').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Rarely and awkwardly. Its core meaning involves a negative or damaging surprise. Using it for a positive surprise (like a party) is usually considered incorrect or ironic.
'Blindsided' is a much stronger term. It implies the surprise was consequential, damaging, and that one should have seen it coming but failed to do so. 'Surprised' is more general and neutral.
It is 'blindsided.' The verb is regular: blindside, blindsided, blindsided.
It is acceptable in neutral and informal registers. It is common in journalism and business writing. For extremely formal academic or legal prose, a term like 'taken unawares' or 'caught off guard' might be preferred.
to be hit or attacked from an unexpected direction.
Blindsided: in British English it is pronounced /ˌblaɪndˈsaɪdɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈblaɪndˌsaɪdɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(to be) hit out of the blue”
- “(to be) broadsided”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine walking down a street and being hit by a car from the side you weren't looking at (your 'blind' side). You didn't see it coming at all. That's to be 'blindsided.'
Conceptual Metaphor
UNEXPECTED NEGATIVE EVENT IS A PHYSICAL BLOW FROM AN UNSEEN DIRECTION.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'blindsided' LEAST appropriate?