take by surprise
Related to take by surprise: pertain to, run by, fall short, take notice of, pick up on, proceed with, in midst, have in common
take (one) by surprise
To encounter or otherwise engage something or someone who is not prepared or on guard; to shock or startle someone or something by one's sudden appearance or action. You took me by surprise when you showed up at my office with flowers this afternoon! Our soldiers descended upon the enemy encampment just before daybreak and took their troops entirely by surprise.
See also: by, surprise, take
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
take someone or something by surprise
to startle or surprise someone or something. She bolted into the room and took them by surprise. I took the little bird by surprise, and it flew away.
See also: by, surprise, take
take someone by surprise
and catch someone by surpriseto startle someone; to surprise someone with something unexpected. Oh! You took me by surprise because I didn't hear you come in. Bill caught his mother by surprise by coming to the door and pretending to be selling something.
See also: by, surprise, take
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
take by surprise
Encounter unexpectedly, as in The rainshower took us by surprise. [Late 1600s]
See also: by, surprise, take
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
- be/have done with somebody/something
- be in line with (someone or something)
- better of
- (someone or something) promises well
- bird has flown, the
- be replaced by (someone or something)
- be replaced with (someone or something)
- begin with
- begin with (someone or something)
- beware of (someone or something)