unexpected pick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unexpected pick" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a choice or selection that is surprising or not anticipated. An example could be: "The team's unexpected pick in the draft caught everyone off guard." Alternative expressions include "surprising choice" and "unforeseen selection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Clearly, her big task on Wednesday and in the days ahead was to drive home the image the McCain campaign has sought to attach to this unexpected pick: the corruption-fighting governor from outside Washington, a socially conservative mother of five who can easily connect with working-class Americans in a way that Mr. Obama has so far had trouble doing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The short-term economic outlook is darkening.One worry is an unexpected pick-up in inflation.

The Economist

The unexpected picks were the Gloucester scrum-half Dan Robson, one of precious few Kingsholmites to emerge from a desperate season with reputation enhanced, and… um… a New Zealander, in the shape of the 29-year-old lock Michael Paterson.

Independent

We learned from wealth management institutions that allocate the pools into their high net worth accounts that in some cases interest rates have been lower than promised, due to unexpected pick-up in defaults.

TechCrunch

There were other unexpected picks as well.

Los Angeles Times

"It was so unexpected, I picked it up and it really knocked me for six.

The Guardian

It is hard to imagine an unexpected vice-presidential pick at the last minute, like John Kennedy's selection of Lyndon Johnson in 1960, Richard Nixon's choice of Spiro Agnew in 1968 or even George Bush Sr.'s elevation of Dan Quayle in 1988 -- all of which caught the candidates' advisers by surprise.

The New York Times - Magazine

The film, which focused exclusively on the book's revelations about Senator John McCain's unexpected decision to pick Ms. Palin as his running mate, won five Emmy awards.

The New York Times

The death of Senator Paul Coverdell, Republican of Georgia, gives Democrats an unexpected chance to pick up a crucial seat in their uphill fight to seize control of the Senate this fall, political analysts said today.

The New York Times

"It's essentially a bag for flowers that stands up," a concept that is both humble and unexpected, Granger said, picking up one that held water and a few stems.

The New York Times

Loach's film, which initially struggled to find funding, has been an unexpected hit: first picking up the Palme d'Or in Cannes, then being endorsed by the likes of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unexpected pick", ensure the context clearly establishes what was expected or typical in order to emphasize the surprise element. For example, "The "unexpected pick" for the lead role surprised many casting directors".

Common error

Avoid using "unexpected pick" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, alternatives like "surprising selection" or "unforeseen choice" might be more appropriate for a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unexpected pick" functions as a noun phrase, where "unexpected" modifies the noun "pick". Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase describes a selection or choice that was surprising or not anticipated.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unexpected pick" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a surprising or unanticipated selection. While Ludwig's analysis shows it is relatively rare, occurring mainly in news and scientific contexts, it effectively conveys the element of surprise. For more formal settings, consider using synonyms like "surprising selection" or "unforeseen choice". The phrase's infrequent usage and the availability of more formal alternatives contribute to its relatively lower expert rating. This wrap-up helps contextualize the use of "unexpected pick" and offers guidance for writers seeking clarity and appropriateness in their language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Surprising selection

Focuses on the selection being surprising, a direct synonym.

Unforeseen choice

Highlights that the choice was not anticipated or predicted.

Unexpected choice

Replaces "pick" with "choice", maintaining the surprise element.

Surprise nomination

Implies a nomination that was not expected.

Astonishing selection

Emphasizes the degree of surprise as being astonishing.

Unanticipated nomination

Highlights the lack of anticipation in the nomination.

Improbable selection

Indicates the selection was unlikely or improbable.

Out-of-the-blue choice

Emphasizes the sudden and unexpected nature of the choice.

Dark horse selection

Implies the selected option was a lesser-known or less favored one.

Left-field pick

Suggests an unconventional or unexpected selection.

FAQs

How can I use "unexpected pick" in a sentence?

You can use "unexpected pick" to describe a choice that was surprising or not anticipated. For example: "The team's "unexpected pick" in the draft stunned the analysts."

What can I say instead of "unexpected pick"?

You can use alternatives like "surprising selection", "unforeseen choice", or "surprise nomination" depending on the context.

Is "unexpected pick" formal or informal?

"Unexpected pick" is generally neutral in tone and can be used in news articles and general writing, but might be considered less formal than alternatives like "surprising selection" in academic or business contexts.

What makes a "pick" unexpected?

A "pick" is unexpected when it deviates from what is generally predicted, anticipated, or considered likely based on prior information or common expectations.