Spring on Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈspɹɪŋ/, /spɝˈɪŋ/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn

SPRING-on, spur-ING-on

UK

spɹˈɪŋ/ /ˈɒn

spring-ON

Definition

To suddenly and unexpectedly tell or do something to someone, usually surprising them.

Usage & Nuances

Informal, mainly spoken. Often used with unpleasant or surprising news ('spring something on someone'). Common collocations: 'spring a surprise on', 'spring the news on'. Not commonly used in formal writing. Can feel negative if the surprise is unwelcome.

• Spanish: sorprender con - aparecer de repente con
• Portuguese (BR): surpreender com - aparecer de repente com
• Portuguese (PT): surpreender com - aparecer de repente com
• Chinese (Simplified): 突然告诉 - 突然提出
• Chinese (Traditional): 突然告知 - 突然提出
• Hindi: अचानक बता देना - अचानक पेश करना
• Arabic: يفاجئ بـ - يفاجئ فجأة بـ
• Bengali: হঠাৎ জানানো - আকস্মিকভাবে বলা
• Russian: неожиданно сообщить - внезапно объявить
• Japanese: 突然伝える - いきなり言う
• Vietnamese: bất ngờ nói ra - báo đột ngột
• Korean: 갑자기 알리다 - 불쑥 말하다
• Turkish: birdenbire söylemek - aniden açıklamak
• Urdu: اچانک بتا دینا - اچانک اطلاع دینا
• Indonesian: memberitahukan secara tiba-tiba - mengumumkan tanpa peringatan

Example Sentences

Don't spring on me with bad news in the morning.

basic

She likes to spring on surprises during our meetings.

basic

My boss sprang on a new project without warning.

basic

Out of nowhere, he sprang on us that he was moving abroad.

natural

Please don't spring on big plans without letting me know first.

natural

They just sprung on us that the deadline had changed—no one was ready!

natural