Blindsided: meaning, definitions and examples

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blindsided

 

[ ˈblaɪn(d)ˌsaɪdəd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

sudden shock

To be blindsided means to be caught off guard or surprised by something unexpected, often in a negative way. This term can refer to a situation where a person is unaware of an impending event or difficulty. Being blindsided can leave someone feeling vulnerable and unprepared for the consequences of a sudden turn of events. It is often used in contexts where trust is broken or unexpected revelations occur.

Synonyms

caught off guard, surprised, taken aback.

Examples of usage

  • I was blindsided by the news of her resignation.
  • The team was blindsided when their star player was traded.
  • He felt blindsided when his partner ended the relationship without warning.

Translations

Translations of the word "blindsided" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desavisado

🇮🇳 अचानक आक्रमण किया

🇩🇪 überrumpelt

🇮🇩 terkejut

🇺🇦 несподівано атакувати

🇵🇱 zaskoczony

🇯🇵 不意をつかれる

🇫🇷 prise au dépourvu

🇪🇸 tomado por sorpresa

🇹🇷 şaşırmak

🇰🇷 갑작스럽게 공격당하다

🇸🇦 مفاجئ

🇨🇿 překvapený

🇸🇰 prekvapený

🇨🇳 措手不及

🇸🇮 presenečen

🇮🇸 óvart

🇰🇿 ауыр соққы

🇬🇪 გაუთვალისწინებელი

🇦🇿 təəccüblü

🇲🇽 sorprendido

Etymology

The term 'blindsided' originated in the early 20th century, deriving from the word 'blindside', which refers to a side of something that is not visible or guarded. It combines the prefix 'blind', indicating something hidden or obscured, with 'side', implying a spatial aspect. Originally used in contexts related to physical encounters, such as sports or combat, where someone might be attacked from a direction they were not watching, it evolved to also describe emotional or situational surprises. By the late 20th century, its usage expanded significantly in everyday language, particularly to describe personal experiences of unexpected emotional turmoil or betrayal, retaining its connotation of being caught unawares.