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.

“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

A relative, who did not wish to be named, said the tide appeared to be a long way out when they first arrived on the beach but came in very quickly - within about 20 minutes - catching them by surprise.

From BBC