The Blind Side
What is the blind side?
Key facts
| Definition | The side or area that a person cannot see, especially to the side or rear.[3] |
|---|---|
| Sports use | In rugby and American football, the side opposite the main line of attack.[2] |
| Verb meaning | To surprise or attack someone from an unseen side.[3] |
| Origin | Figurative use derives from rugby and American football, dating from the late 1960s.[1] |
| Usage | Used mainly in North America.[1] |
A blind side is the area a person cannot see, especially to the side or rear. In sports like rugby and American football, it is the side opposite the main line of attack, and the verb 'to blindside' means to surprise or attack from that unseen side.
Context
The term 'blind side' has both literal and figurative meanings. Literally, it refers to the area a person cannot see, especially to the side or rear [3]. In sports like rugby and American football, it denotes the side opposite the main line of attack, and the verb 'to blindside' means to surprise or attack from that unseen side [2]. The figurative use is thought to date from the late 1960s and is mainly used in North America [1]. The expression is used both literally, for vision and driving-related awareness, and figuratively, for surprise or deception [3]. It is sometimes confused with 'blind spot' [4].
Documented claims
Questions and answers
What does 'blind side' mean in football?
In football, the blind side is the side opposite the main line of attack, where a player is vulnerable to being hit without seeing it coming [2].
What is the origin of the term 'blindside'?
The figurative use of 'blindside' comes from rugby and American football, and is thought to date from the late 1960s [1].
Is 'blind side' the same as 'blind spot'?
They are related but not identical. 'Blind side' often refers to the area one cannot see, while 'blind spot' is a specific term for that area in vision or driving [4].
Sources
- Idiom Origins - Blindside — idiomorigins.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)
- BLINDSIDE Definition & Meaning — merriam-webster.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
- BLIND SIDE Definition & Meaning — dictionary.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
- blindside — idioms.thefreedictionary.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)