by surprise
Dije que no se le pilla por sorpresa.
I said he's not caught by surprise.
— Atlantis: El imperio perdido (2001)
La lluvia me pilló por sorpresa.
The rain caught me by surprise.
Su pregunta me tomó completamente por sorpresa durante la reunión.
His question took me completely by surprise during the meeting.
El sonido me cogió por sorpresa.
The sound took me by surprise.
Nos encontramos un gato en la caja por sorpresa.
We found a cat in the box by surprise.
Los japoneses van a atacar por sorpresa.
The Japanese are going to launch a surprise attack.
— Asesinos (2015)
La noticia nos tomó por sorpresa.
The news took us by surprise.
Un trueno me tomó por sorpresa.
A clap of thunder took me by surprise.
La noticia le pilló por sorpresa.
The news took him by surprise.
Su visita repentina me tomó por sorpresa.
His sudden visit took me by surprise.