Meaning: This idiom means something that happens unexpectedly, without warning or prior indication.
Usage in Example Sentences:
- “He called me out of the blue after years of no contact.”
- “The announcement came out of the blue and shocked everyone in the office.”
- “Out of the blue, it started pouring rain during our picnic.”
Origin: The phrase “out of the blue” is derived from the longer expression “a bolt out of the blue,” which refers to lightning striking unexpectedly from a clear sky. Over time, it has come to describe anything that happens suddenly and without prior warning, much like an unforeseen lightning strike in an otherwise calm and clear situation. The idiom became shortened to “out of the blue” in everyday speech.
