->''"Surprise, Motherfucker!"''
-->-- '''James Doakes''', ''Series/{{Dexter}}''

Tropes about characters not getting what they expected. (Hope that doesn't shock you too much.)

One of the most useful emotions in a writer's toolbox and so one of the commonest in all sorts of stories.

See also BetrayalTropes, PlotTwist, TwistEnding. Tropes in those indices will not be covered here.
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!!Tropes
[[index]]
[floatboxright:
'''Also see:'''
+ BetrayalTropes
+ IndexButton
+ PlotTwist
+ RealizationIndex
+ TwistEnding
]
* AdoptionInducedPregnancy: A person or couple finds out they're pregnant after adopting.
* BackingIntoDanger: Someone backpedals into the very threat they were planning to avoid.
* BaffledByOwnBiology: Someone is surprised and confused by something related to their own body.
* BangingPotsAndPans: Someone surprises another by doing so.
* BigNo: Someone hollers "No" in response to witnessing a misfortune they didn't want to happen.
* BigWhat: Someone reacts to a revelation catching them by surprise by shouting "What?"
* BigWhy: The above, but it's "Why?" instead of "What?"
* BlankWhiteEyes
* BlueWithShock: The anime equivalent of turning pale.
* CaughtComingHomeLate
* ColorFailure: A person is so shocked at what they see that they turn completely white.
* ConfirmBeforeReveal: A character asks a quick question about something they're about to reveal before revealing it.
* ConvenientlyTimedAttackFromBehind
* DangerousInterrogative: The verbal equivalent of a DeathGlare, used to indicate that whoever provoked the interrogative is about to enter a world of hurt.
* DidntSeeThatComing
* DontSneakUpOnMeLikeThat: Surprised characters accidentally attack their buddies who startled them.
* DramaticCurtainToss
* DramaticDrop
* DramaticSitDown
* DroppingTheBombshell
* DullSurprise: Hard to tell if this guy's actually surprised.
* EyePop: Someone's eyes launch out of their skulls to show surprise.
* EyeTake: O.O to show a character's shock.
* FaintInShock: If the surprise is particularly emotionally impactful.
* FakeMystery: There's no crime. The whole thing is staged as a prank.
* FakeOutTwist: Surprise! But wait, surprise about the first surprise!
* ForgotToMindTheirHead: Someone accidentally hits their head by not being careful of their surroundings.
* FriendlyScheming
* TheFutureIsShocking
* GameChanger: Something new is added to the story that changes the situation.
* GayBarReveal: A character finds out that they're in a gay bar.
* GutPunch
** PlayerPunch
* HandsLookingWrong: Someone inspects their hands after a transformation.
* HellYesMoment
* HeroicBSOD: Shutting down as a result of something traumatic.
* HomeEarlySurprise:
* HomeNudist: Finding out that a person goes naked when at home.
* IThinkYouBrokeHim
* ImminentDangerClue
* InstantCosplaySurprise
* IntroductionByHookup: That random person the character slept with last night? They're their new coworker.
* JawDrop: A character reacts to something by lowering their jaw.
* JustWokeUpThatWay
* KewpieDollSurprise: Anime women flap their arms in a "Y" pose when shocked or excited.
* LightswitchSurprise: A dark room turns light and reveals a surprise.
* MakingTheChoiceForYou
* MatchlightDangerRevelation
* MirrorReveal: A character is surprised at their own, post-transformation reflection
* MockSurpriseReaction
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone
* MyGodYouAreSerious
* NoMoreLies
* NotHimself
* NothingIsTheSameAnymore: When the status quo changes drastically.
* OhCrap: Character realizes that they are completely screwed.
** DelayedOhCrap: A character sees signs that they are in big trouble, but the appropriate reaction is delayed a bit.
** ExplainExplainOhCrap: A character talks about something before being horrified once the implications of their discussion dawn on them.
** MassOhCrap: A whole bunch of people freak out after learning that they're screwed.
** OhCrapFakeout: Someone fakes an "Oh Crap!" moment to mock their opponent.
** OhCrapSmile: A character smiles nervously after discovering that they are in trouble.
* OminousAdversarialAmusement
* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: When someone does not act like their usual self, then something's real serious.
* OutOfCharacterAlert
* OpenTheDoorAndSeeAllThePeople: My god, that's a lot of people outside.
* PaperBagPopping
* PassingJudgment: Character does something embarrassing in public and gets stared at by appalled passengers of a vehicle.
* PersonalEffectsReveal
* ThePictureCameWithTheFrame
* PostKissCatatonia: Immobilizing someone in shock with a kiss.
* RefrigeratorAmbush: Hiding in the fridge.
* ScarySurpriseParty
* ShockingMoments
* SmokingGun
* SpitTake: A character spits out their drink to show how surprised they are.
* StoppedDeadInTheirTracks: The character is so surprised they stop what they are doing and momentarily freeze.
* StunnedSilence: Someone's too surprised to even speak.
* SuperweaponSurprise
* SurpriseJump: Someone jumps absurdly high in fright.
* SurpriseMultipleBirth: A woman gives birth to more babies than she and/or her husband were expecting.
* SurpriseParty
* SurprisePregnancy
* SurpriseVehicle
* SurpriseWitness
* SurprisinglyMundaneReason: A character is surprised when the actions of another, while seemingly for a strange purpose, are actually for a mundane reason.
* TheTake
* TearsOfAwe: A character gets teary-eyed upon seeing something overwhelmingly beautiful.
* TheseHandsHaveKilled: A character is upset that they just killed someone.
* ThisCannotBe: Common phrase uttered by villains when they are about to meet their demise.
* ThunderShock: Using thunder as an effect to emphasize a character's shock.
* TwoRightsMakeAWrong
* UnsettlingGenderReveal: A character is disturbed by finding out that a woman is really a man in drag.
* WakingUpElsewhere
* WhamEpisode
** MidSeasonTwist
* WhamLine: A line of dialogue drastically changes the plot, usually for the worse.
* WhamShot: The above trope, but instead of dialogue, it's a cinematic shot
* WhatHaveIBecome
* WhyWontYouDie: Someone tries to kill a person and expresses their frustration at the person surviving every attempt at taking their life.
* WildTake
* WontDoYourDirtyWork: The hero/villain is told to solve his own problems.
* YouHaveGotToBeKiddingMe
* YouMonster: Calling a person a monster to make it clear that you find their actions unforgivably cruel.
* YouSaidYouWouldLetThemGo: The villain lied about freeing the hostage.
* YoureInsane: Chewing out a person for their actions/intentions by telling them that they are crazy.
[[/index]]
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