blind·side [blahynd-sahyd]

verb (used with object), blind·sid·ed, blind·sid·ing.

1. Sports . to tackle, hit, or attack (an opponent) from the blind side: The quarterback was blindsided and had the ball knocked out of his hand.

2. Informal . to attack critically where a person is vulnerable, uninformed, etc.: The president was blindsided by the press on the latest tax bill.