by surprise
Catching off guard
By surprise describes something happening unexpectedly, catching someone unprepared: The announcement took everyone by surprise.
To take or catch someone by surprise is to act before they can react or prepare: The enemy attacked at dawn and caught the garrison by surprise.
The phrase implies a sudden shift from one state to another.
- blindsidedSurprised by unforeseen impact
- gaspSudden sharp breath
- jaw dropShocked facial expression
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- amazementOverwhelming surprise and wonder
sneak attack · ambush · flinch · astonishment · startle · caught off guard · unawares · exclamation · wide-eyed · deer in headlights · bolt from the blue · gobsmacked · out of the blue · bushwhack · waylay · bewilderment · accident · off-guard
by surpriseas expected
expectedly · predictably · unsurprisingly · right on schedule · on cue
by surpriseby design
Done with intent
by appointment · deliberately · on schedule · on purpose · intentionally
surprise, surprised, surprising, surprisingly, surprises, unsurprising, unsurprised, unsurprisingly