take by surprise
IdiomsExample Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Be set down for a fool, a lazy rascal and a fop, and it is easy enough to take by surprise those who think they have the whip-hand of you.
From Treasure of Kings Being the Story of the Discovery of the \"Big Fish,\" or the Quest of the Greater Treasure of the Incas of Peru. by Charles Gilson
He would have opened the door suddenly in that case, hoping to take by surprise whosoever of the clan were guarding Linda.
From The Strength of the Pines by Edison Marshall
One day he will suddenly start off to take by surprise the garrisons of Potsdam and of Rinfueld; he gives the order for boots and saddles, which naturally leads to innumerable accidents.
From The Schemes of the Kaiser by Juliette Adam
Finally the rebels retreated, and Michelson discovered that his opponents meant to take by surprise the Fort of Ufa.
From Stories by Foreign Authors: Polish, Greek, Belgian, Hungarian by Henryk Sienkiewicz
It could now be seen that those who handled the oars were trying to make less noise, as though desirous of not arousing the sleepers they expected to take by surprise.
From Motor Boat Boys Mississippi Cruise or, The Dash for Dixie by Louis Arundel
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
