to spring on
– C1 (advanced) –
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In Canadian English, this phrasal verb typically means:
to surprise someone with something unexpected
NOTE
There is often a negative connotation to this phrasal verb, in the sense that the person who receives the surprise is not prepared to receive it.
EXAMPLES
“There was no warning of the merger whatsoever! They just sprang the news on us like we didn’t matter. Now, 50% of us have been let go.”
“I mean it, honestly, thank you for the surprise birthday party. It was really sweet of you. It’s just I don’t do well with things when they are sprung on me. I need to prepare myself first, that’s all.”
Do you like surprises? What was the last thing that was sprung on you?
