be in for a (big/real) surprise

idiom

—used to say that someone will be very surprised by something

They are in for a (big/real) surprise when they come home.

Examples of be in for a (big/real) surprise in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

People visiting Southern Australia may be in for a surprise as mysterious foam and dead fish are washing ashore. —Ashley J. Dimella Fox News, Fox News, 18 Mar. 2025

People visiting the Sunshine State may be in for a surprise as mysterious balls are washing ashore in South Florida. —Ashley J. Dimella Fox News, Fox News, 13 Feb. 2025

Fans expecting the polished art and storytelling of Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees may be in for a surprise, as Free for All is clearly the work of a much less experienced and confident cartoonist. —Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025

More Than 170 People Rescued After Colorado Ski Lift Cracks By Monica Sager Live News Reporter 1 With ski season underway and snow accumulation making for good trail conditions, visitors to Utah's Park City Mountain may be in for a surprise. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025

Those hoping for a drop-off in that intensity, given Uruguay have already qualified for the next round, may be in for a surprise. —Thom Harris, The Athletic, 1 July 2024

Business leaders who hope to simply focus on the health of their company’s bottom line may be in for a surprise. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024

Shoppers at California farmers markets accustomed to arrays of corn, zucchinis, homemade jams and jellies may be in for a surprise: Golden State farmers markets and ag fairs may soon add cannabis to their sales lists. —Joan Oleck, Forbes, 13 Sep. 2024

Those hoping that finding a higher-paying job is the answer may be in for a surprise. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2023