take by surprise

to occur to someone when unexpected; to surprise

Japanese Meaning

不意を突く / 予期せずに起こる / 思いがけず驚かせる

The sudden idea to quit his job seemed to take by surprise everyone in the office.

彼が仕事をやめようというその突然の思い付きは、オフィスにいた全員を驚かせたようだった。

Sense（1）

to occur to someone when unexpected; to surprise

takes by surprise

（ present singular third-person ）

taking by surprise

（ participle present ）

took by surprise

（ past ）

taken by surprise

（ participle past ）