unexpected event
Bolt from blue
An unexpected event is something that happens without warning or anticipation—an occurrence that catches people off guard.
The phrase appears frequently in insurance policies, emergency planning, and news coverage: The company wasn't prepared for this unexpected event.
It often implies disruption or the need for response, though unexpected events can be pleasant surprises as well as crises.
- surpriseUnexpected event causing astonishment
- rude awakeningStartling unpleasant realization
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- twistRotating motion or surprise
- curveballPitch with spin-induced arc
curve ball · left field · bombshell · wild card · accident · happy accident · coincidence · act of God · black swan · fluke · disruption · jolt · wake-up call · upheaval · windfall · crisis · miracle · anomaly
- surprisessurprise party, plot twist, news flash, curveball, twist ending
unexpected eventroutine
Regular sequence of actions
standard procedure · business as usual · the usual · custom · tradition
unexpected, event, expect, expected, expectedly, unexpectedly, expectation, expectations, expectant