English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Out of the blue
Meaning
The idiom "out of the blue" means something happens suddenly, unexpectedly, or without any warning. It can also mean that an event is surprising or shocking.
Usage
- I was sitting at home when out of the blue, my boss called me and offered me a promotion.
- The news about my friend's sudden death came out of the blue.
- Out of the blue, I received an invitation to speak at a conference in New York.
- I had no idea that my ex-girlfriend was coming to visit until it happened out of the blue.
- My cousin got married out of the blue; we found out only after the wedding. The usage of "out of the blue" can vary depending on the context. It can be used in a positive or negative way, depending on the situation. For example, if something unexpectedly good happens, it might be described as "coming out of the blue." On the other hand, if something unexpectedly bad happens, it might be described as "out of the blue."
Roots and History
The earliest known use of the idiom "out of the blue" dates back to the 17th century. It comes from the Old French phrase "bleue," which means "blue" in English. The first recorded use of the idiom in English was in the 18th century, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. Over time, the meaning of the idiom has remained mostly the same, but its usage has become more common in contemporary language.
Synonyms in English
- Out of nowhere
- Without warning
- Suddenly
- Unexpectedly
- In an instant
Synonyms in other languages
- Spanish - sin prioridad (without priority)
- French - comme ça va (like that, unexpectedly)
- German - wie gesagt (as expected)
- Italian - improvvisamente (suddenly)
- Portuguese - sem aviso (without warning)