eye opener

CIDE DICTIONARY

eye opener, n. 

•  That which makes the eyes open, as startling news or occurrence; something which causes one to suddenly understand what was not previously known.  [1913 Webster]
•  A drink of liquor, especially the first one in the morning.  [1913 Webster]

THESAURUS

eye opener

Mickey, Mickey Finn, aperitif, astonishment, blockbuster, blow, bomb, bombshell, catch, chaser, cocktail, doch-an-dorrach, drink, earthshaker, highball, joker, kicker, knockout drops, mixed drink, nightcap, parting cup, peripeteia, pousse-cafe, punch, revelation, shocker, staggerer, startler, stirrup cup, sundowner, surprisal, surprise, surprise ending, surprise package, surprise party, switch, thunderbolt, thunderclap, wee doch-an-dorrach

ROGET THESAURUS

eye opener

Inexpectation

N inexpectation, non-expectation, false expectation, miscalculation, surprise, sudden burst, thunderclap, blow, shock, start, bolt out of the blue, wonder, eye opener, unpleasant surprise, pleasant surprise, nonexpectant, surprised, unwarned, unaware, off one's guard, inattentive, unexpected, unanticipated, unpredicted, unlooked for, unforeseen, unhoped for, dropped from the clouds, beyond expectation, contrary to expectation, against expectation, against all expectation, out of one's reckoning, unheard of, startling, surprising, sudden, unpredictable, unforeseeable (unknowable), abruptly, unexpectedly, surprisingly, plump, pop, a l'improviste, unawares, without notice, without warning, without a 'by your leave', like a thief in the night, like a thunderbolt, in an unguarded moment, suddenly, Int, heydey!, little did one think, little did one expect, nobody would ever suppose, nobody would ever think, nobody would ever expect, who would have thought? it beats the Dutch.