Sometimes things happen when we don’t expect them. These surprises can be fun, confusing, or even a little shocking. When people talk about these moments, they often use idioms. Idioms are special phrases that don’t always mean exactly what the words say, but they help us explain things more clearly.
In this article, you’ll learn idioms that people use when something unexpected happens. These phrases can help you describe surprises in a fun and creative way. Let’s explore 30 idioms for unexpected events!
Idioms for Unexpected
1. Out of the blue
Meaning: Something that happens suddenly and without warning.
Samples: Out of the blue, it started raining. / She showed up out of the blue.
To Put it Another Way: It happened suddenly. / No one saw it coming.
2. Take you by surprise
Meaning: To shock or surprise someone.
Samples: The ending took me by surprise. / His gift took her by surprise.
To Put it Another Way: It surprised me. / I didn’t expect it.
3. A bolt from the blue
Meaning: A sudden and unexpected event.
Samples: Her decision was a bolt from the blue. / The news came like a bolt from the blue.
To Put it Another Way: It was totally unexpected. / A surprise.
4. Catch you off guard
Meaning: Happen when you’re not ready.
Samples: The test caught me off guard. / The fire drill caught us off guard.
To Put it Another Way: I wasn’t prepared. / It surprised me.
5. Come out of nowhere
Meaning: Appear or happen suddenly.
Samples: That car came out of nowhere. / His idea came out of nowhere.
To Put it Another Way: It popped up suddenly. / No one saw it coming.
6. Throw a curveball
Meaning: Do something unexpected.
Samples: The question threw me a curveball. / She threw a curveball with her answer.
To Put it Another Way: It surprised me. / I didn’t expect that.
7. Out of left field
Meaning: Something very unexpected or strange.
Samples: His question came out of left field. / That idea was out of left field.
To Put it Another Way: Totally unexpected. / Weird and surprising.
8. Turn the tables
Meaning: Change a situation in a surprising way.
Samples: She turned the tables and won the game. / He turned the tables during the contest.
To Put it Another Way: Switched things up. / Surprised everyone.
9. Spring something on someone
Meaning: Tell or do something unexpected.
Samples: She sprang a surprise party on me. / He sprang the news on us.
To Put it Another Way: Told us suddenly. / It was unexpected.
10. Off the wall
Meaning: Strange or surprising in an odd way.
Samples: That was an off-the-wall idea. / Her costume was off the wall.
To Put it Another Way: Weird and surprising. / Very unusual.
11. Knock your socks off
Meaning: Surprise or impress someone a lot.
Samples: That trick will knock your socks off! / The movie knocked my socks off.
To Put it Another Way: It really amazed me. / I didn’t see that coming.
12. Come as a shock
Meaning: Happen unexpectedly and surprise you.
Samples: The news came as a shock. / Her decision came as a shock to everyone.
To Put it Another Way: A big surprise. / No one expected it.
13. Out of the ordinary
Meaning: Not usual or expected.
Samples: That behavior was out of the ordinary. / Something out of the ordinary happened at school.
To Put it Another Way: Not normal. / Different from usual.
14. Catch someone by surprise
Meaning: Happen when someone isn’t expecting it.
Samples: The pop quiz caught us by surprise. / His visit caught me by surprise.
To Put it Another Way: I wasn’t ready. / I didn’t expect it.
15. Come from nowhere
Meaning: Appear or happen suddenly.
Samples: The idea came from nowhere. / He came from nowhere and won.
To Put it Another Way: Popped up. / Very unexpected.
16. Flip the script
Meaning: Change what usually happens in a surprising way.
Samples: She flipped the script and won the game. / He flipped the script with a new idea.
To Put it Another Way: Changed things up. / Did something unexpected.
17. A twist in the tale
Meaning: A surprising change in a story.
Samples: The book had a twist in the tale. / No one saw the twist in the tale coming.
To Put it Another Way: A surprise ending. / An unexpected turn.
18. From out of the blue sky
Meaning: Suddenly and without warning.
Samples: That phone call came from out of the blue sky. / The storm came from out of the blue sky.
To Put it Another Way: Out of nowhere. / A big surprise.
19. Rock the boat
Meaning: Do something unexpected that causes change.
Samples: He rocked the boat by changing the plan. / She rocked the boat with her answer.
To Put it Another Way: Stirred things up. / Did something surprising.
20. Upset the apple cart
Meaning: Change or mess up a plan in a surprising way.
Samples: He upset the apple cart by quitting. / The new idea upset the apple cart.
To Put it Another Way: Shook things up. / Changed everything suddenly.
21. Knock for a loop
Meaning: Greatly surprise or confuse someone.
Samples: The news knocked me for a loop. / Her reaction knocked us for a loop.
To Put it Another Way: Really shocked. / Didn’t expect it at all.
22. Pull a rabbit out of a hat
Meaning: Do something amazing and unexpected.
Samples: He pulled a rabbit out of a hat with that trick. / She pulled a rabbit out of a hat with her answer.
To Put it Another Way: Did something surprising. / A fun surprise.
23. Out of character
Meaning: Not how someone usually acts.
Samples: That was out of character for him. / Her quiet mood was out of character.
To Put it Another Way: Not like usual. / A surprising change.
24. Catch flat-footed
Meaning: Be unprepared for a surprise.
Samples: The question caught me flat-footed. / We were caught flat-footed by the fire drill.
To Put it Another Way: Not ready. / Surprised and unprepared.
25. Throw you for a loop
Meaning: Confuse or surprise you suddenly.
Samples: That twist really threw me for a loop. / The riddle threw us for a loop.
To Put it Another Way: Very unexpected. / Didn’t see it coming.
26. Out of the clear blue sky
Meaning: Happen suddenly without any warning.
Samples: That message came out of the clear blue sky. / He arrived out of the clear blue sky.
To Put it Another Way: Out of nowhere. / Total surprise.
27. Wild card
Meaning: Someone or something that’s hard to predict.
Samples: He’s the wild card in the group. / That idea was a wild card.
To Put it Another Way: Unpredictable. / Might do anything.
28. A left turn
Meaning: A sudden or surprising change.
Samples: That story took a left turn! / His answer was a left turn.
To Put it Another Way: A surprise change. / Totally different direction.
29. A plot twist
Meaning: A surprising event in a story.
Samples: That movie had a big plot twist! / No one saw the plot twist coming.
To Put it Another Way: Surprise in the story. / Unexpected turn.
30. Come out of the woodwork
Meaning: Appear suddenly, especially people or ideas.
Samples: Old friends came out of the woodwork. / Ideas came out of the woodwork.
To Put it Another Way: Appeared suddenly. / Unexpectedly showed up.
Find the Topics: Idioms for Unexpected
Story Title: “Birthday Twist”
It was just a normal Tuesday until something happened out of the blue. Emma walked into class and everyone yelled, “Surprise!” It was a party for her birthday, even though her real birthday was still days away.
The decorations caught her off guard. “This came out of nowhere,” she whispered. Liam smiled. “We didn’t mean to throw you for a loop!”
Emma laughed. “This is totally out of the ordinary,” she said as she saw the cake. “You really pulled a rabbit out of a hat with all this!”
Then Mr. Dorsey appeared wearing a giant party hat. “Now that’s out of left field!” someone shouted.
Later, Emma said, “This whole day knocked my socks off. I never saw it coming!”
Your Task:
Underline or list all 8 idioms for unexpected use in the story.
Answer Key
- Out of the blue
- Caught her off guard
- Came out of nowhere
- Threw you for a loop
- Out of the ordinary
- Pulled a rabbit out of a hat
- Out of left field
- Knocked my socks off
Conclusion
Idioms for unexpected events help us talk about surprises in fun and exciting ways. Whether something “comes out of nowhere” or “throws you for a loop,” these expressions make stories more interesting.
Using these idioms can help you describe the moments when life doesn’t go as planned, whether it’s good, confusing, or just plain fun. Try using them when something catches you by surprise!
