when least expected

Idioms

When something is not awaited, as in My brother always calls when least expected, or You might know that the furnace would break down when least expected—we just had it overhauled.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Drawing the viewer's eyes away to one thing, while setting up big surprises to pop out when least expected.

From Salon • Nov. 18, 2022

Light, the archbishop said, had "shone brightly in dark times and hope has sprung up when least expected".

From BBC • Dec. 24, 2021

One thing that has defined the Carroll era is an ability to continually pull off wins when least expected.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 15, 2021

Gunnysack-wearing ghouls hidden into the corn will also jump out when least expected.

From Washington Times • Oct. 17, 2019

The Great Shepherd cared for it; and when least expected, raised another pastor in the person of a Mr. John Baxter, a native of England.

From Antigua and the Antiguans, Volume I (of 2) A full account of the colony and its inhabitants from the time of the Caribs to the present day by Anonymous

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023