Collocations for "surprising"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "surprising" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2025
surprise
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.n
- a [pleasant, nice, great, horrible, shocking, big] surprise
- is in for a [pleasant] surprise
- the [win, performance, medal] was a big surprise
- [love, hate] surprises
- it was no surprise (that)
- what a surprise!
- is going to [get, have, find] a nice surprise
- it was a surprise to [bump, run] into him (at the party)
- it came as a surprise [hearing, reading] about
- it will come as no surprise [that, to]
- it was a surprise to [me, all, everyone]
- a surprise to all the [guests, visitors, friends, workers]
- was caught by surprise [by, when]
- [took, caught] me by surprise
- [lack, lost, have] the element of surprise
- raised his eyebrows in surprise
- an expression of surprise
- the element of surprise was [key, vital, crucial]
- threw her a surprise [party, birthday party, celebration]
- a surprise [test, inspection, exam]
- (launch) a surprise attack [on, against] the [enemy, politician]
- was a surprise [hit, success, bestseller]
- was the surprise winner (of)
- a surprise attack
- made a surprise [announcement, appearance] (at)
- [got, received] a surprise [call, visit] from
- surprise your [students, children, partner]
- surprised [her family, all his friends] (by)
- surprised them by [saying, announcing, suggesting]
- surprise her with a [trip, gift]
- you surprise me sometimes
- nothing surprises me anymore
- it [might, may] surprise you to [know, learn, hear]
- it surprised me to [hear]
- surprised me [how, what, when, where]
- surprises me (just) how [much, quickly, often, good]
- surprised the [heck, hell] out of me
- it wouldn't surprise me (at all) if
- (the news) surprised us all
- surprise the [enemy, police]
'surprising' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):