(US politics) An occurrence that unexpectedly comes to public attention just prior to a November election, especially a presidential election, and that is likely to affect the outcome.

A pre-planned party in which participants secretively gather in a certain location, wait for the arrival of the person they wish to honour and, traditionally, greet the arrival of the honoured person by shouting, "Surprise!".

(idiomatic, sarcastic) What a surprise.

plural of surprise party

Misspelling of quelle surprise.

plural of element of surprise

(idiomatic) The strategic advantage afforded to a party when its opposition may be caught by surprise.

plural of October surprise

to occur to someone when unexpected; to surprise

(set phrase) To not be surprising; to be expected.