JLPT N1

～かと思いきや

contrary to expectations; thought it would be… but

Item 45 of 358

Structure / Usage

Verb/Adjective (plain form) + かと思いきや

簡単かと思いきや、意外と難しかった。

I thought it would be easy, but it was surprisingly difficult.

雨が降るかと思いきや、急に晴れた。

I thought it would rain, but it suddenly cleared up.