That shift, Republicans say, could eventually provide an unexpected gain for their party in what has been shaping up as a bleak midterm election year.

Research with no practical purpose in view is an accepted function of government, not least because it often yields unexpected gains.

The unexpected gain followed a 2.9 percent drop in June.

Belmont Park is showing unexpected gains lately in attendance and betting, but nobody knows exactly why.

Spending on construction, on the other hand, posted an unexpected and sizable gain for the month.

The German spring offensive had made unexpected major gains, and a scapegoat was needed.

As usual, some of the unexpected gains did not look quite so good upon closer inspection.

Permits showed an unexpected gain of 1 percent, to 1.35 million.

The liberals also made unexpected - and thoroughly welcome - gains among white voters.

With each unexpected gain, there was hope for more independence.