It came like a bolt from the blue

Definitions

• unexpected event
  Describing a sudden and completely unexpected event or news that catches someone off guard

Examples of It came like a bolt from the blue

• Sally received an unexpected job offer from her dream company yesterday. It came like a bolt from the blue as she wasn't even actively looking for a job.

  The phrase "It came like a bolt from the blue" is used to describe an unexpected and sudden event that occurs without any prior indication. In this case, Sally's job offer was unexpected and unexpectedly came from her dream company, which she wasn't even actively seeking employment with. The phrase "bolt from the blue" refers to a sudden and sudden flash of lightning that appears unexpectedly in the sky. Overall, this example shows how the idiom can be used to describe an unexpected and pleasant surprise.

• The news of the sudden death of John's father struck him like a bolt from the blue.

  In this case, the sudden and unexpected news of John's father's death hit him hard and left him in a state of shock. The phrase "bolt from the blue" is used to describe the unexpected nature of the news, which caught John off guard and left him speechless.

• After years of trying to get pregnant, Susan finally found out that she was expecting. It came like a bolt from the blue as she thought that she would never be able to conceive.

  In this example, Susan's pregnancy came to her as a surprise, as she had been trying to conceive for a long time and had resigned herself to the fact that it might never happen. The phrase "bolt from the blue" describes the unexpected nature of Susan's pregnancy, which she wasn't expecting given the fact that she had been trying to conceive for a long time.

• Mark's promotion to a senior position in his company was completely unexpected. It came like a bolt from the blue, as he hadn't been actively working towards this position.

  In this example, Mark's promotion came to him as a surprise, as he hadn't been actively working towards it. The phrase "bolt from the blue" describes the unexpected nature of the promotion, which came to Mark without any prior indication or effort on his part.

• Sarah had just finished her presentation at the company meeting when the CEO suddenly announced a major shake-up in the management team. It came like a bolt from the blue for Sarah, who had been expecting her promotion to be announced.

  This idiom is used to express that something unexpected and sudden happened, just like a bolt of lightning appears suddenly and without warning from a clear sky. In this example, Sarah's promotion, which she thought was a done deal, was unexpectedly delayed or rescinded, much to her surprise and dismay.

Conclusion

This idiom is used to describe something that happens suddenly and unexpectedly, often shocking or surprising the person it happens to. It can be used in a variety of situations, such as receiving unexpected news or experiencing a sudden turn of events. The intention is to convey the suddenness and surprise of the event, emphasizing the unexpected nature of it.

Origin of "It came like a bolt from the blue"

The phrase "came like a bolt from the blue" has its origins in the idea of a bolt of lightning striking from a clear blue sky. This image of a sudden and unexpected event coming from a seemingly calm and predictable situation is the basis for the idiom. The phrase likely originated from the literal idea of a bolt of lightning appearing out of nowhere on a clear day, and it has been used figuratively to describe unexpected events since at least the 19th century.

The idiom has been used in literature and everyday language to convey the suddenness and surprise of unexpected events, and it continues to be a common phrase in English today. Its vivid imagery and clear meaning make it a powerful way to describe the shock of a sudden and unexpected occurrence.