Surprise can add excitement to our conversations. Whether you’re sharing unexpected news or reacting to a sudden event, knowing the right expressions can make your speech more engaging. Here are 20 expressions that will help you convey surprise effectively in various situations.
Expressions Related to Surprise
1. Blow someone’s mind
Meaning: Amaze someone
Example: The fireworks show blew my mind!
2. Jump out of one’s skin
Meaning: Be extremely surprised
Example: I almost jumped out of my skin when he appeared.
3. Take aback
Meaning: Shock or surprise
Example: I was taken aback by the sudden change.
4. Knock someone’s socks off
Meaning: Greatly impress
Example: Her performance knocked my socks off!
5. Out of the blue
Meaning: Unexpectedly
Example: He called me out of the blue last night.
6. Drop a bombshell
Meaning: Announce surprising news
Example: She dropped a bombshell about moving abroad.
7. Raise eyebrows
Meaning: Cause surprise or shock
Example: His bold statement raised a few eyebrows.
8. Take by storm
Meaning: Surprise greatly
Example: The new singer took the audience by storm.
9. Take someone by surprise
Meaning: Unexpectedly surprise
Example: The sudden storm took us by surprise.
10. Blindsided
Meaning: Completely surprised
Example: I was blindsided by his sudden resignation.
11. Out of nowhere
Meaning: Suddenly, unexpectedly
Example: The solution appeared out of nowhere.
12. Catch off guard
Meaning: Surprise unexpectedly
Example: The news caught me off guard.
13. Knock for a loop
Meaning: Astonish
Example: The news knocked me for a loop.
14. Catch by surprise
Meaning: Take unexpectedly
Example: The question caught him by surprise.
15. Blow away
Meaning: Astonish greatly
Example: The results blew me away.
16. Stun into silence
Meaning: Shock speechless
Example: The news stunned everyone into silence.
17. Knock the wind out of
Meaning: Surprise greatly
Example: The verdict knocked the wind out of me.
18. Startle
Meaning: Surprise suddenly
Example: The loud noise startled the cat.
19. Floor someone
Meaning: Astonish
Example: Her talent floored everyone at the event.
20. Turn up unexpectedly
Meaning: Appear without warning
Example: He turned up unexpectedly at the party.
