They were caught flat-footed by the attack.

他们冷不防遭到了攻击。

《牛津词典》

Critics of the company complain that, time and again, incumbent corporations are caught flat-footed by the rapid technological shifts of modern life.

对公司持批评态度的人士指出，现代生活快速的技术转变，一次又一次让大型公司措手不及。

youdao

There also was an uncharacteristic blunder: Equities-trading revenue tumbled because Goldman was caught flat-footed when volatility rose as markets tumbled.

这里还有一个不太典型的失误：当股市动荡导致波动性上升时，高盛被打了个措手不及，股票交易收入因而下降。

youdao

It is, in such a circumstance, easy to get caught flat-footed by pursuing yesterday's strategy today.

CNN: Going to the People

Lawmakers, lobbyists, and even mainstream beltway advocacy groups fighting the bills were caught flat-footed, and retreated.

FORBES: What Does Silicon Valley Need from Washington? Less.

It was caught flat-footed when young athletes stopped playing multiple sports, which had required lots of different shoes and apparel.

FORBES: Magazine Article