take (one) by surprise

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

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

take by surprise

Encounter unexpectedly, as in The rainshower took us by surprise. [Late 1600s] See also: by, surprise, take

take somebody by surˈprise

happen to somebody unexpectedly; surprise somebody: His decision to retire took us all by surprise.See also: by, somebody, surprise, take