by surprise

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“This is no time for a discussion. I’m going to point us toward the ocean surface. We’ve got to outrun that giant sub. When I say so, you hit the main engine and the toilet paper rolls—I mean the boosters—at the same time. If we can take him by surprise, I think we’ll have a chance.”

From Literature

“The raise took us by surprise, as we considered Ioneer would wait until the strategic partnering process was complete before raising funds to start ‘construction’,” says analyst Matthew Hope.

From The Wall Street Journal

This was said to have taken him by "surprise".

From BBC

“Take him by surprise. But…we’d need some kind of bait.”

From Literature

Within hours, the vote was abruptly postponed, taking much of the financial world by surprise.

From The Wall Street Journal