surprise
noun /səˈpraɪz/
/sərˈpraɪz/
Idioms - What a nice surprise!
- I have a surprise for you!
- a surprise attack
- There are few surprises in this year's budget.
- It comes as no surprise to learn that they broke their promises.
- Her letter came as a complete surprise.
- ‘The appointment came as a pleasant surprise to me,’ she says.
- The announcements came as something of a surprise to them.
- There are lots of surprises in store for visitors to the gallery.
- He was there on a surprise visit to the troops.
- Life’s full of surprises.
- She likes springing surprises on people.
- Visitors to the gallery are in for a few surprises.
Extra Examples- I had a lovely surprise when I saw Mark there.
- It was a complete surprise for me.
- His refusal came as no surprise to his boss.
- Johnson sprung a surprise by beating the favourite in the first round.
- Roach was the surprise winner of the £10 000 first prize.
- She feels that the future holds few surprises.
- They launched a surprise attack on the Russian fleet.
- Your mother's in for a bit of a surprise when she gets home.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- big
- complete
- genuine
- …
- be
- come as
- get
- …
- announcement
- appearance
- party
- …
- surprise for
- surprise to
- a bit of a surprise
- quite a surprise
- hold few, many, no, etc. surprises
- …
- a look of surprise
- in surprise She looked up in surprise.
- surprise at something He gasped with surprise at her strength.
- surprise at seeing, hearing, etc. They couldn't conceal their surprise at seeing us together.
- I got a surprise when I saw the bill.
- to somebody's surprise To everyone's surprise, the plan succeeded.
- Much to my surprise, I passed.
- Imagine our surprise when he walked into the room!
- When we went inside we got a nasty surprise.
- The decision has been greeted with surprise.
- They expressed surprise at the outcome.
Extra ExamplesTopics Feelingsa2- He feigned surprise when I went up and said hello.
- His eyebrows rose in mock surprise.
- It was with some surprise that I read of his resignation.
- She showed no surprise at the news.
- She was quick to hide her surprise.
- Much to her surprise she enjoyed the party.
- The president's remarks caused surprise and embarrassment.
- After the initial surprise I got to like the place.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- great
- total
- utter
- …
- express
- register
- show
- …
- in surprise
- to somebody’s surprise
- with surprise
- …
- an expression of surprise
- a look of surprise
- a gasp of surprise
- …
- [uncountable] the use of methods that cause feelings of surprise
- A successful campaign should have an element of surprise.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- great
- total
- utter
- …
- express
- register
- show
- …
- in surprise
- to somebody’s surprise
- with surprise
- …
- an expression of surprise
- a look of surprise
- a gasp of surprise
- …
Word Originlate Middle English (in the sense ‘unexpected seizure of a place, or attack on troops’): from Old French, feminine past participle of surprendre, from medieval Latin superprehendere ‘seize’.
Idioms
surprise, surprise (informal)
- (ironic, often disapproving) used to show that something is not a surprise to you, as you could easily have predicted that it would happen or be true
- One of the candidates was the manager's niece, and surprise, surprise, she got the job.
- Bob turned up half an hour late, surprise surprise.
- used when giving somebody a surprise
- Surprise, surprise! Look who's here!
take somebody by surprise
- to happen unexpectedly so that somebody is slightly shocked; to surprise somebody
- His frankness took her by surprise.
- The storm took us completely by surprise.
take somebody/something by surprise
- to attack or capture somebody/something unexpectedly or without warning
- The police took the burglars by surprise.