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spiazzare

to wrong-foot

verb spyaht-TSAH-reh Rare

Also means

to catch off guard

Usage Note

Spiazzare literally means to push someone off their spot (piazza = place/square) and figuratively means to leave someone at a loss, to catch them off guard with an unexpected move or remark. It is common in sports commentary (la mossa ha spiazzato il portiere) and in everyday speech. Takes avere as auxiliary.

Examples

"La sua risposta mi ha spiazzato."

Natural Translation

His answer caught me off guard.

Literal Translation

His answer me has caught-off-guard.

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