chocolate-box surprise

6.1

An unexpected pleasant gift or event that feels like a small box of chocolates

noun

: sorpresa de caja de chocolates

Winning the trip was a complete chocolate-box surprise for the whole family.

Examples

The invitation to the gala arrived as a delightful chocolate-box surprise in the mail.
On her birthday, she received a chocolate-box surprise from her coworkers.
What a delightful chocolate-box surprise!
Her birthday party was a delightful chocolate-box surprise!
On her birthday, she received a chocolate-box surprise from her coworkers.
The invitation to the gala arrived as a delightful chocolate-box surprise in the mail.
Winning the trip was a complete chocolate-box surprise for the whole family.

Synonyms

surprise

vschocolate-box surprise

738 1.0

An event that happens suddenly and is not expected

is specifically a pleasant charming unexpected occurrence rather than mere suddenness

Christmas come early

vschocolate-box surprise

Informal

1 7.3

A very welcome surprise like getting gifts before Christmas

is a smaller charming unexpected treat rather than a large windfall

wowsie gift

vschocolate-box surprise

Slang

9.5

A gift that surprises someone and makes them very happy

is milder and more charming instead of causing astonishment

Antonyms

disappointment

117 1.6

An event, action, or situation that makes someone feel let down

letdown

27 3.4

A feeling of disappointment when something is not as good as you expected

How Charming

chocolate-box surprise

6.1

to surprise

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

chocolate-box surprise singular

chocolate-box surprises plural

Morphology

chocolate-box + surprise

The head noun 'surprise' is literal but 'chocolate-box' functions as a figurative modifier that evokes a pleasant, gift-like or charming quality (like receiving a box of chocolates). A B1 learner who knows 'chocolate', 'box' and 'surprise' can probably infer it means a pleasant or delightful surprise, but the subtle idiomatic nuance of 'sentimental/charmingly picturesque' relies on collocational and cultural knowledge, so it is not fully transparent.

Etymology

Chocolate-box surprise comes from the image of a pretty chocolate-box full of small sweets. Opening it gives a sudden, lovely mix of treats, so a chocolate-box surprise means an 'unexpected and delightful' gift or moment.