Phrases to describe Surprise

Question 1

to be at a loss for words

Answer 1

too surprised to speak

• I was at a loss for words when she gave me a surprise present!
• I do not know what to say. I did not expect to win so I am at a loss for words right now.

Question 2

to be dumbstruck

or

to be dumbfounded

Answer 2

too surprised to speak

• I was dumbstruck when the host announced that I have won the first prize.
• He was dumbfounded by the allegations.

Question 3

to be taken aback

Answer 3

surprised or confused

• I was taken aback by the news!
• Laura was taken aback by the rude actions of the sales staff.

Question 4

to drop the bombshell

Answer 4

to make an unexpected or shattering (bad) announcement

• Toby dropped the bombshell during dinner. He told his parents that he had to be retained for failing all his exams.
• She dropped the bombshell by revealing that she was three months pregnant.

Question 5

to be caught off guard

Answer 5

to surprise someone by doing something unexpected

• The defender was caught off guard by the striker’s sudden speed.
• Willy was caught off guard by the bully’s sudden attack.

Question 6

to be flabbergasted

Answer 6

to feel shocked, usually because of something you were not expecting; to be astonished, unable to think properly

• He was flabbergasted by the queue he saw outside his shop.
• Karen was flabbergasted when she saw the decorations in her house.

Question 7

to be stupefied

Answer 7

to feel shocked, usually because of something you were not expecting; to be astonished, unable to think properly

• He was flabbergasted by the queue he saw outside his shop.
• Karen was flabbergasted when she saw the decorations in her house.

Question 8

jaw-dropping (adj)

Answer 8

amazing

• Hilary is able to perform some jaw-dropping stunts on her skateboard!
• The acrobat did some jaw-dropping moves to entertain the audience.

Question 9

to be confounded

Answer 9

to cause surprise and confusion

• The teacher was confounded when she found out that her naughtiest student was the top scorer in the class.
• All the students were confounded by the essay topic they were tasked to write during the exams.

Question 10

out of the blue

Answer 10

without warning, unexpectedly

• Out of the blue, there was a very loud crash.
• The car came swerving into my lane out of the blue.