Out of the Blue (Origin)

by Craig Shrives

What Is the Origin of the Saying "Out of the Blue"?

The term "out of the blue" means suddenly and unexpectedly.

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Out of the Blue (Origin)

Examples of Use:

  • He proposed out of the blue. I didn't suspect a thing.
  • The deer came out of the blue and hit my car.
  • Did you know Kate was leaving? She announced it out of the blue yesterday.
The full version of "out of the blue" is "a bolt out of the blue." The word "bolt" refers to lightning, and "blue" refers to a blue sky. As lightning is not expected on a bright, sunny day with a blue sky, so "a bolt out of the blue" is a metaphor for something sudden and unexpected. The adverbial phrase "out of the blue" can be used by itself to mean "suddenly and unexpectedly."
  • Well, that goal came out of the blue. correct tick

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See Also

What are idioms? What is figurative language? A list of common grammar errors A list of easily confused words A list of sayings and proverbs