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

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019