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3. take by surprise

take by surprise

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take someone by surprise

 and catch someone by surprise

to startle someone; to surprise someone with something unexpected. Oh! You took me by surprise because I didn't hear you come in. Bill caught his mother by surprise by coming to the door and pretending to be selling something.

See also: surprise, take

take someone or something by surprise

to startle or surprise someone or something. She bolted into the room and took them by surprise. I took the little bird by surprise, and it flew away.

See also: surprise, take

take (somebody) by surprise

to do something not expected His resignation took us all completely by surprise.

See also: surprise, take

take by surprise

Encounter unexpectedly, as in The rainshower took us by surprise. [Late 1600s]

See also: surprise, take