transitive. To come upon unexpectedly; to take by surprise. Obsolete.

= supprise, v. 1–2.

To surprise, take unawares. Obsolete. rare.

transitive. To affect (a person) with surprise; = surprise, v. 5a.

transitive. To discover or surprise (a person) in a particular state or act, esp. one regarded as objectionable or reprehensible. Chiefly with in or…

to take (a person) at advantage(s): to take (a person) by surprise; to take advantage of. Also to take upon advantages. Now rare.

to take (also rarely catch, find) a person tardy: to overtake (? originally on account of slowness of advance); to surprise; to come upon…

to take tarde, to overtake, surprise; = ‘to take tardy’ (tardy, adj. 2).

to take (a person) short. To take by surprise, at a disadvantage; to come suddenly upon; esp. Nautical (of wind or bad weather), or colloquial…

to catch (also †take) (a person) napping: to find (a person) asleep. Chiefly figurative: to take (someone) unawares or off guard; to surprise…

transitive. To take unawares, surprise.

To come upon unexpectedly; to take unawares; to take or catch in the act; hence figurative to find or discover (something) suddenly, to detect.

transitive. In extended use: to come over (a person), esp. suddenly; to take (a person) by surprise.

In the phrase to take (or catch)‥unawares.

to take by surprise (†to take at a surprise): to come upon unexpectedly, take unawares; hence, to astonish by unexpectedness: = surprise, v. 3 5.

to catch (also take) on the hop: to take unawares, to surprise, to catch in the act.

spec. to catch (a person) bending: to catch (someone) at a disadvantage. colloquial.

transitive. figurative. To disconcert by an unexpected move; to catch unprepared.