surprise

sur|prise1 [ sər`praız ] noun ***

1. ) count an unusual or unexpected event:

There were few surprises in the basketball playoffs this year.

come as a surprise: Holman's arrest came as a surprise to the entire community.

come as no surprise: Given the dismal sales performance, the change of management came as no surprise.

surprises in store (=unexpected things that will happen in the future): Let's hope there are no more unpleasant surprises in store for us.

be in for a surprise: The Angels could be in for a surprise if they expect an easy victory.

a ) news or information that seems unusual or unexpected:

I never knew Sheila had been married that was a real surprise.

b ) only before noun happening unexpectedly:

Henderson led the team to a surprise win in the final.

They keep the room ready for surprise visitors.

2. ) count a present that you are not expecting to receive:

I got you a little surprise for your birthday.

3. ) uncount the feeling you have when something unusual or unexpected happens:

Many students expressed surprise at the news.

(much) to someone's surprise: Much to my surprise, the restaurant was actually very nice.

surprise, surprise

used in a humorous way for saying that something is exactly what you expected or should have expected:

He gave his son a job and surprise, surprise, in six months he became a director.

take/catch someone by surprise

1. ) to attack, catch, or find someone when they do not expect it:

Protesters marched into the governor's office, taking security forces by surprise.

2. ) to shock someone by unexpected behavior:

The violence of his language took us all by surprise.

3. ) to happen unexpectedly:

The storm caught the fishermen completely by surprise.

surprise

sur|prise 2 [ sər`praız ] verb transitive **

1. ) to give someone a feeling of surprise:

Her angry tone of voice surprised me.

Mike decided to surprise Angie with flowers.

It may surprise you to know that Frank used to be an athlete.

It wouldn't surprise me if it snowed tonight.

surprise yourself: She surprised herself by finishing the race in less than 45 minutes.

2. ) to attack or find someone when they do not expect it:

The soldiers surprised the men before they had a chance to escape.

3. ) to discover someone doing something, especially something they should not be doing:

A teacher surprised the boys smoking cigarettes.

surprise

sur|prise 3 [ sər`praız ] interjection

said when you do something unusual or unexpected