Meaning of “Unexpected Quarters”











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I am unable to find a satisfactory meaning of "Unexpected Quarters". According to my interpretation, it means "unexpected ways". But would love if someone can throw some light on this.



I searched in this dictionary, but couldn't find the phrase.



Example Sentences :




  • He received help from unexpected quarters

  • I am expecting some gift from unexpected quarter










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    Please show the research you have done. You should find the meaning in any good dictionary.
    – Colin Fine
    Dec 11 at 18:49















up vote
-3
down vote

favorite












I am unable to find a satisfactory meaning of "Unexpected Quarters". According to my interpretation, it means "unexpected ways". But would love if someone can throw some light on this.



I searched in this dictionary, but couldn't find the phrase.



Example Sentences :




  • He received help from unexpected quarters

  • I am expecting some gift from unexpected quarter










share|improve this question









New contributor




random_28 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
















  • 3




    Please show the research you have done. You should find the meaning in any good dictionary.
    – Colin Fine
    Dec 11 at 18:49













up vote
-3
down vote

favorite









up vote
-3
down vote

favorite











I am unable to find a satisfactory meaning of "Unexpected Quarters". According to my interpretation, it means "unexpected ways". But would love if someone can throw some light on this.



I searched in this dictionary, but couldn't find the phrase.



Example Sentences :




  • He received help from unexpected quarters

  • I am expecting some gift from unexpected quarter










share|improve this question









New contributor




random_28 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











I am unable to find a satisfactory meaning of "Unexpected Quarters". According to my interpretation, it means "unexpected ways". But would love if someone can throw some light on this.



I searched in this dictionary, but couldn't find the phrase.



Example Sentences :




  • He received help from unexpected quarters

  • I am expecting some gift from unexpected quarter







meaning vocabulary






share|improve this question









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random_28 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question









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edited Dec 11 at 18:56





















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asked Dec 11 at 18:35









random_28

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random_28 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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  • 3




    Please show the research you have done. You should find the meaning in any good dictionary.
    – Colin Fine
    Dec 11 at 18:49














  • 3




    Please show the research you have done. You should find the meaning in any good dictionary.
    – Colin Fine
    Dec 11 at 18:49








3




3




Please show the research you have done. You should find the meaning in any good dictionary.
– Colin Fine
Dec 11 at 18:49




Please show the research you have done. You should find the meaning in any good dictionary.
– Colin Fine
Dec 11 at 18:49










2 Answers
2






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votes

















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0
down vote



accepted










Something coming from an unexpected quarter comes from an unexpected source.



For example you might need something doing which requires an unusual skill, be unable to find a suitable craftsman by searching the web or looking through the yellow pages but find, when you mention your difficulty to your neighbour in passing, that her uncle has the skill you require and is willing to do the job cheaply.



The neighbour and her uncle would be the unexpected quarter since you would not normally think of asking around for someone with a rare skill.



I have no proof but suspect that the term is naval in origin and refers to a 'quarter' of the compass, ie an unexpected direction. In the 18th century ship under attack from an enemy might be rescued by an ally coming from downwind, which would certainly be unexpected.






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    up vote
    -1
    down vote













    What about just 'unexpectedness'.
    See some examples from Oxford Dictionary:
    The unexpectedness of this made my vision waver again as I peeked up at her.’



    ‘The sense of slight danger, of unexpectedness, is what they are buying into.’



    ‘The unexpectedness made the sting even worse of course.’






    share|improve this answer





















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      2 Answers
      2






      active

      oldest

      votes








      2 Answers
      2






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes








      up vote
      0
      down vote



      accepted










      Something coming from an unexpected quarter comes from an unexpected source.



      For example you might need something doing which requires an unusual skill, be unable to find a suitable craftsman by searching the web or looking through the yellow pages but find, when you mention your difficulty to your neighbour in passing, that her uncle has the skill you require and is willing to do the job cheaply.



      The neighbour and her uncle would be the unexpected quarter since you would not normally think of asking around for someone with a rare skill.



      I have no proof but suspect that the term is naval in origin and refers to a 'quarter' of the compass, ie an unexpected direction. In the 18th century ship under attack from an enemy might be rescued by an ally coming from downwind, which would certainly be unexpected.






      share|improve this answer

























        up vote
        0
        down vote



        accepted










        Something coming from an unexpected quarter comes from an unexpected source.



        For example you might need something doing which requires an unusual skill, be unable to find a suitable craftsman by searching the web or looking through the yellow pages but find, when you mention your difficulty to your neighbour in passing, that her uncle has the skill you require and is willing to do the job cheaply.



        The neighbour and her uncle would be the unexpected quarter since you would not normally think of asking around for someone with a rare skill.



        I have no proof but suspect that the term is naval in origin and refers to a 'quarter' of the compass, ie an unexpected direction. In the 18th century ship under attack from an enemy might be rescued by an ally coming from downwind, which would certainly be unexpected.






        share|improve this answer























          up vote
          0
          down vote



          accepted







          up vote
          0
          down vote



          accepted






          Something coming from an unexpected quarter comes from an unexpected source.



          For example you might need something doing which requires an unusual skill, be unable to find a suitable craftsman by searching the web or looking through the yellow pages but find, when you mention your difficulty to your neighbour in passing, that her uncle has the skill you require and is willing to do the job cheaply.



          The neighbour and her uncle would be the unexpected quarter since you would not normally think of asking around for someone with a rare skill.



          I have no proof but suspect that the term is naval in origin and refers to a 'quarter' of the compass, ie an unexpected direction. In the 18th century ship under attack from an enemy might be rescued by an ally coming from downwind, which would certainly be unexpected.






          share|improve this answer












          Something coming from an unexpected quarter comes from an unexpected source.



          For example you might need something doing which requires an unusual skill, be unable to find a suitable craftsman by searching the web or looking through the yellow pages but find, when you mention your difficulty to your neighbour in passing, that her uncle has the skill you require and is willing to do the job cheaply.



          The neighbour and her uncle would be the unexpected quarter since you would not normally think of asking around for someone with a rare skill.



          I have no proof but suspect that the term is naval in origin and refers to a 'quarter' of the compass, ie an unexpected direction. In the 18th century ship under attack from an enemy might be rescued by an ally coming from downwind, which would certainly be unexpected.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered Dec 11 at 20:06









          BoldBen

          5,123616




          5,123616
























              up vote
              -1
              down vote













              What about just 'unexpectedness'.
              See some examples from Oxford Dictionary:
              The unexpectedness of this made my vision waver again as I peeked up at her.’



              ‘The sense of slight danger, of unexpectedness, is what they are buying into.’



              ‘The unexpectedness made the sting even worse of course.’






              share|improve this answer

























                up vote
                -1
                down vote













                What about just 'unexpectedness'.
                See some examples from Oxford Dictionary:
                The unexpectedness of this made my vision waver again as I peeked up at her.’



                ‘The sense of slight danger, of unexpectedness, is what they are buying into.’



                ‘The unexpectedness made the sting even worse of course.’






                share|improve this answer























                  up vote
                  -1
                  down vote










                  up vote
                  -1
                  down vote









                  What about just 'unexpectedness'.
                  See some examples from Oxford Dictionary:
                  The unexpectedness of this made my vision waver again as I peeked up at her.’



                  ‘The sense of slight danger, of unexpectedness, is what they are buying into.’



                  ‘The unexpectedness made the sting even worse of course.’






                  share|improve this answer












                  What about just 'unexpectedness'.
                  See some examples from Oxford Dictionary:
                  The unexpectedness of this made my vision waver again as I peeked up at her.’



                  ‘The sense of slight danger, of unexpectedness, is what they are buying into.’



                  ‘The unexpectedness made the sting even worse of course.’







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered Dec 11 at 19:01









                  user307254

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                  1,314110






















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