Entry 1
Eyebrow raising
Meaning Something that creates shock or surprise.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- Everyone expected Brokeback Mountain to get the Oscar. When the announcement said Crash had won it was truly eyebrow raising.
Pronunciation
Idioms · 6 entries
Surprise
What does "Surprise" mean?
Something that creates shock or surprise.
Eyebrow raising
USA and Britain, early 20th century.
Great scot
Hidden in plain sight
USA, 19th century.
Holy shit!
Out of the blue
Britain, 19th century (as ‘a bolt from the blue’).
Stranger things have happened
Entry 2
Great scot
Meaning Exclamation of surprise.
Usage Worldwide, although somewhat old-fashioned.
Example
- Great Scot James, isn't there a gorilla in the back seat of that car!
Pronunciation
Entry 3
Hidden in plain sight
Meaning Something that defies apprehension by being too obvious.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- After robbing the jewellers the thief just stood in the crowd and watched the police search all the local alleys. I guess hiding in plain sight worked for him.
Pronunciation
Entry 4
Holy shit!
Meaning An expression of extreme surprise or disbelief.
Usage Mostly USA.
Example
- Two lottery wins in our street in one week! Holy shit - that's next to impossible.
Pronunciation
Entry 5
Out of the blue
Meaning Suddenly and unexpectedly.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- We were sunbathing and then it just started to hail. It was literally out of the blue.
Pronunciation
Entry 6
Stranger things have happened
Meaning Said when the feasibility of some unlikely event is questioned.
Usage Mostly Britain.
Example
- Jamie says he just saw a chimp waiting at the bus stop. I don't really believe him, but then, stranger things have happened.
Pronunciation