Catch by surprise Meaning in English
expression
ˈkætʃ/ /ˈbaɪ/ /səˈpɹaɪz/, /sɝˈpɹaɪz
KATCH by ser-PRYZ
kˈætʃ/ /bˈaɪ/ /səpɹˈaɪz
KATCH by suh-PRYZ
Definition
To do something or appear unexpectedly so that someone is not prepared; to surprise someone who wasn't expecting it.
Usage & Nuances
Informal and commonly used in both speech and writing. Often used when something happens suddenly or unexpectedly. Can refer to emotions, news, or people. Collocates with 'completely', 'totally', and can also be used passively: 'was caught by surprise'.
Spanish: sorprender - pillar desprevenidoPortuguese (BR): pegar de surpresa - surpreenderPortuguese (PT): apanhar de surpresa - surpreenderChinese (Simplified): 让...感到意外 - 出其不意地抓住Chinese (Traditional): 讓...感到意外 - 出其不意地抓住Hindi: अचकचा देना - चौंका देनाArabic: يفاجئBengali: হতভম্ব করা - অবাক করে ফেলাRussian: застать врасплохJapanese: 不意を突く - 驚かせるVietnamese: làm ai đó ngạc nhiên - khiến ai đó bất ngờKorean: 깜짝 놀라게 하다 - 불시에 놀라게 하다Turkish: gafil avlamak - hazırlıksız yakalamakUrdu: حیران کر دینا - اچانک پکڑناIndonesian: membuat terkejut - mengejutkan
Example Sentences
The announcement caught me by surprise.
basic
Her question caught him by surprise.
basic
The rainstorm caught us by surprise during our walk.
basic
I got caught by surprise when my friends threw me a party.
natural
He was caught by surprise by the sudden change in plans.
natural
You really caught us by surprise when you showed up at the door!
natural