much to someone's surprise

:  great in quantity, amount, extent, or degree

:  great in importance or significance

:  many in number

:  to a great degree or extent :  considerably

:  very

:  frequently, often

:  a great quantity, amount, extent, or degree

:  something considerable or impressive

:  some person :  somebody

:  an attack made without warning

:  a taking unawares

:  something that surprises

:  to attack unexpectedly

:  to capture by an unexpected attack

:  to take unawares