take by surprise|surprise|take Idiom

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take by surprise|surprise|take

v. phr. 1. To appear in front of someone suddenly or to suddenly discover him before he discovers you; come before (someone) is ready; appear before (someone) unexpectedly. The policeman took the burglar by surprise as he opened the window. When Mrs. Green's dinner guests came half an hour early, they took her by surprise. 2. To fill with surprise or amazement; astonish. Ellen was taken by surprise when the birthday cake was brought in. When our teacher quit in the middle of the year to work for the government, it took us all by surprise.

take by surprise|surprise|take

v. phr. 1. To arise in advanced of addition aback or to aback ascertain him afore he discovers you; arise afore (someone) is ready; arise afore (someone) unexpectedly. The policeman took the burglar by abruptness as he opened the window. When Mrs. Green's banquet guests came bisected an hour early, they took her by surprise. 2. To ample with abruptness or amazement; astonish. Ellen was taken by abruptness back the altogether block was brought in. When our abecedary abdicate in the average of the year to assignment for the government, it took us all by surprise. Dictionary