# blindsided

/ˈblaɪˌndsaɪdɪd/ (US) · /blˈaɪndsaɪdɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/blindsided
Updated: 2026-09-26

## Senses

### 1. taken by surprise

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal

feeling completely surprised by something bad that you did not see coming. It is like being hit by a car from the side where you weren't looking.

For teachers: feeling incapacitated or overwhelmed by a sudden, unexpected, and typically negative event. Often used predicatively to describe a state of shock resulting from a lack of preparation or warning.

- I was completely blindsided by the news of his resignation.
- Even the most seasoned political analysts were blindsided by the election results, which defied every major polling projection released in the weeks leading up to the vote.

## Examples

- I was completely blindsided by the news of his resignation.
- The small company was blindsided when their main supplier suddenly went out of business without any prior warning.
- Even the most seasoned political analysts were blindsided by the election results, which defied every major polling projection released in the weeks leading up to the vote.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be', 'feel', or 'get'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.