Out of the blue

Definitions

• sudden
  Referring to something that happens unexpectedly or without warning, usually in a surprising or shocking manner

• random
  Describing something that occurs without any prior indication or planning, often in an unusual or unexpected fashion

Examples of Out of the blue

• Jane received an unexpected job offer out of the blue.

  This idiom is used to describe something that happens suddenly and without warning. In this example, Jane received a job offer that she wasn't expecting, which came to her unexpectedly, just as if it had appeared out of nowhere.

• After a long day at work, Tom received a phone call out of the blue from an old friend he hadn't spoken to in years.

  In this example, the idiom is used to describe the unexpected nature of the phone call. Tom hadn't heard from his old friend in a long time, and the call came as a surprise, just as if it had appeared out of nowhere.

• As she was walking home from work, Sarah heard a loud noise out of the blue that turned out to be a car backfiring.

  In this example, the idiom is used to describe the sudden and unexpected nature of the noise that Sarah heard. The noise came as a surprise, just as if it had appeared out of nowhere.

• The news of the company's bankruptcy came as a shock to everyone, out of the blue.

  In this example, the idiom is used to describe the unexpected nature of the news. The bankruptcy came as a surprise, just as if it had appeared out of nowhere.

• During the concert, the singer suddenly announced that she would be performing a new song out of the blue.

  In this example, the idiom is used to describe the unexpected nature of the announcement. The singer announced that she would be performing a new song, which came as a surprise, just as if it had appeared out of nowhere.

Conclusion

The idiom "out of the blue" is typically used to describe something that happens suddenly or unexpectedly. This can refer to a wide range of events, from a sudden change in weather to an unexpected phone call or surprise visit from a friend. In these cases, the phrase is used to convey a sense of surprise or shock at the unexpected nature of the event.

Additionally, "out of the blue" can also be used to describe something that is random or unplanned. This can refer to something that occurs without any prior indication or preparation, such as a chance encounter or a stranger's kind gesture. In this sense, the idiom is often used to highlight the unpredictability of life and how things can happen without warning or explanation.

Origin of "Out of the blue"

The origin of the idiom "out of the blue" is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the early 1800s. One theory suggests that it may have originated from the phrase "a bolt out of the blue," which refers to a sudden and unexpected lightning strike. Over time, the phrase was shortened to "out of the blue" and began to be used in a wider range of contexts.

Another theory suggests that the idiom may have originated from the color of the sky suddenly changing from clear blue to dark storm clouds, indicating an approaching storm. This sudden change in the sky could have been seen as unexpected and surprising, leading to the use of the phrase to describe any unexpected event.

Regardless of its exact origin, the idiom has become a common phrase in the English language, used to describe a variety of sudden or unexpected events. It is often used in conversation and writing to add emphasis to the surprising nature of a particular situation.