take someone by surprise Definition

surprise
noun

1. A sudden, unexpected, astounding, amazing, etc event, factor, gift, etc.

Thesaurus: shock, revelation, bolt from the blue, bombshell (slang).
2. A feeling of mental disorientation caused by something of this nature.

Thesaurus: astonishment, awe, wonder, amazement, incredulity.
3a. The act of catching someone unawares or off-guard;
3b. The process of being caught unawares or off-guard.
4. Unexpected, sudden.

Example: a surprise party

verb surprised, surprising

1. To cause someone to experience surprise by presenting them with or subjecting them to something unexpected, amazing, etc.

Example: surprised her with a kiss
Thesaurus: amaze, astonish, astound, shock, stun, dumbfound, stupefy, nonplus, daze, floor, make one's head swim.
2. To come upon something or someone unexpectedly or catch unawares.
3. To capture or attack with a sudden unexpected manoeuvre.

Derivative: surpriser
noun

Idiom: the surprise of one's life

A very big shock or surprise.

Idiom: surprise, surprise!

An exclamation indicating that something is or (ironic) is not a surprise.

Idiom: take someone by surprise

To catch them unawares or off-guard.
Example: The news of the redundancies took everyone by surprise

Etymology: 15c: French, from surprendre, surpris.