Collocations for "unexpected"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "unexpected" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2025
unexpected
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.adj
- an unexpected [event, outcome, verdict, result]
- an unexpected [end, ending, conclusion] (to)
- an unexpected [change, increase, fall, decrease] (in)
- had an unexpected effect (on)
- received unexpected [support, backing, blessing, endorsement] (from)
- [won, got] an unexpected [prize, bonus]
- was [completely, totally, entirely] unexpected
- was not entirely expected
- the [victory, loss, failure] was totally unexpected
- well [that] was (totally) unexpected!
- well [this] is an unexpected surprise!
- paid us an unexpected visit
- their visit was unexpected
- suffered an unexpected death
- [came to, reached] an unexpected ending
- made an unexpected [appearance, recovery, stop]
- had an unexpected advantage (over)
- a [provision, plan] for unexpected events
- was [gifted, presented with] an unexpected opportunity (to)
'unexpected' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
abrupt
- abuse
- adventure
- adverse
- aging
- ally
- ambush
- amount
- announcement
- answer
- bad
- charge
- cheap shot
- close
- collapse
- conclusion
- crop
- cut
- death
- decrease
- delay
- earnings
- effect
- ending
- fee
- finding
- foe
- gap
- glitch
- good
- hiccup
- highlight
- insult
- jam
- kink
- occurrence
- outburst
- outlay
- passing
- pregnancy
- produce
- provision
- purge
- reversal
- reverse
- shortfall
- show
- spike
- surge
- takeover