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.

Netflix’s winning bid for Warner took the market by surprise in part because the company had long built its business, rather than pursuing acquisitions, and because weeks earlier one of its co-CEOs suggested it wanted to avoid a big merger.

From The Wall Street Journal

The edge off Head appeared to take Smith by surprise.

From BBC

Dear reader, “My Secret Santa” took me by surprise.

From Los Angeles Times

The focus on spending seemed to catch investors by surprise in the latest quarter.

From Barron's

The death of Paul Reubens in 2023 took people by surprise, including the director trying to make a documentary about the man better known as Pee-wee Herman.

From The Wall Street Journal