始料未及 shǐ liào wèi jí

DEFINITIONS

  1. not expected at the outset (idiom)
  2. unforeseen
  3. to be surprised by the turn of events

CHARACTERS

始 shǐ
HSK 2
begin, start; then, only then
料 liào
HSK 3
consider, conjecture; materials, ingredients
未 wèi
HSK 5
not yet; 8th terrestrial branch
及 jí
HSK 4
extend; reach; come up to; and