Antonyms for take by surprise
| Grammar : Verb |
| Spell : ser-prahyz, suh- |
| Phonetic Transcription : sərˈpraɪz, sə- |
Definition of take by surprise
Origin :- late 14c., "unexpected attack or capture," from Middle French surprise "a taking unawares," from noun use of past participle of Old French surprendre "to overtake," from sur- "over" (see sur-) + prendre "to take," from Latin prendere, contracted from prehendere "to grasp, seize" (see prehensile). Meaning "something unexpected" first recorded 1590s, that of "feeling caused by something unexpected" is c.1600. Meaning "fancy dish" is attested from 1708.
- A Surprize is ... a dish ... which promising little from its first appearance, when open abounds with all sorts of variety. [W. King, "Cookery," 1708]
- Surprise party originally was a military detachment (1841); festive sense is attested from 1858.
- As in overtake : verb catch; pass
- As in surprise : verb sneak up on; catch
Synonyms for take by surprise
- ambush
- beat
- befall
- better
- burst in on
- bushwhack
- capture
- catch in the act
- catch off-balance
- catch off-guard
- catch red-handed
- catch unawares
- catch up with
- come down on
- come upon
- discover
- drop in on
- engulf
- gain on
- get past
- get to
- grab
- grasp
- happen
- hit
- lay for
- leave behind
- lie in wait
- nab
- outdistance
- outdo
- outstrip
- overhaul
- overwhelm
- reach
- seize
- spring on
- startle
- strike
- take
- take by surprise
- waylay
Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019