take by surprise

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.

I expect to take by surprise a newly-married pair in their honeymoon, and I find a state of things here which I should never have supposed possible.

From Success and How He Won It by Werner, E. T. C. (Edward Theodore Chalmers)

She was taken by surprise, as was intended, but she was a woman whom it was not wise to take by surprise, if you wanted her to show you what was in her mind.

From The Eldest Son by Marshall, Archibald

The two were superbly mounted, and well calculated, by their style and bearing, to take by surprise the leader of a rabble host marching through a country where all was new to his eyes.

From The Great Mogul by Tracy, Louis

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 Gilson, Charles

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 Arundel, Louis