spring (something) on (one)
To tell, present, or disclose something unexpected to one. I'm springing a trip to Barcelona on my wife for her birthday. The boss sprang several huge changes to the project on us at the last minute.
spring on (someone or someething)
To leap, pounce, or dart onto someone or something. The dogs sprang on the sofa as soon as they were inside the house. I love watching the kids spring on Sarah when she comes home from work.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
spring (up)on (someone, something, or an animal)
to jump on someone, something, or an animal; to pounce on someone, something, or an animal. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) The lion sprang upon him and knocked him down. The cat sprang on the mouse and captured it.
spring something on someone
1. to surprise someone with something. I hate to spring this on you at the last moment, but I will need some money to travel on. Please don't spring any other demands on me.
2. to pull a trick on someone. Let me tell you about the trick I sprang on Sally. What are you going to spring on her this time?
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
spring on
v. To present or disclose something to someone unexpectedly or suddenly: They sprang the news on all their friends that they were having a baby. The company president sprang on us the plan to lay people off.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.