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backfoot. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
backfoot, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
backfoot in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
backfoot you have here. The definition of the word
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English
Etymology
From back + foot.
Verb
backfoot (third-person singular simple present backfoots, present participle backfooting, simple past and past participle backfooted)
- (transitive) To put on the defensive; to put off balance.
1996, Kenneth Branagh, “The Film diaries”, in Hamlet, page 188:Hamlet is bitter, evasive, now backfooting them, now attacking, now genial - their job isn't going to be easy.
2006 February 21, “Japan opposition gears up for showdown on Livedoor”, in Boston Globe:Koizumi's government has been backfooted by the indictment of Horie, the former CEO of Livedoor Co., on charges of violating securities regulations
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