spring on someone

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.

See also: on, spring

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

spring on someone

Present or make known unexpectedly, as in They sprung the news of their engagement on the family last night. This idiom uses spring in the sense of "make a sudden move." Mark Twain used it in Tom Sawyer (1876): "Old Mr. Jones is going to try to spring something on the people here tonight."

See also: on, someone, spring

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.