bolt from the blue

bolt from the blue is an idiom used by many writers. When idioms are used in the right place, they open the doors of effective communication and increase your descriptive power. In this way, you will be better understood. The meaning of the expression bolt from the blue is also remarkable in this respect.

Meaning of "bolt from the blue"

Meaning

The idiom ‘bolt from the blue’ is an expression used to describe something that is completely unexpected and comes as a surprise. It’s often used for events or occurrences that seem to come out of nowhere and that were formerly completely unknown. In particular, the idiom refers to events which have an unexpected and dramatic impact on a person’s life.

Etymology

The phrase ‘bolt from the blue’ originated, unsurprisingly, from the English language. It first appeared in the early nineteenth century and has been in use ever since. As a phrase, it’s a combination of two other phrases, ‘bolt’ and ‘from the blue’. ‘Bolt’ is a verb meaning to suddenly move or appear, while ‘from the blue’ is a phrase commonly meant to describe something coming from the sky, most likely referring to a lightning bolt.

Usage

The idiom ‘bolt from the blue’ is used most often to refer to sudden and unexpected events which have an unexpected and dramatic impact on the person experiencing them. It is a phrase most often used in the context of sudden and unexpected changes to one’s life or plans. For example, it can be used to refer to a sudden illness, the passing away of a loved one, or unexpected news from a friend. It is commonly used when discussing painful or disruptive experiences which come as a surprise.

Example Sentences

• John was devastated after the news of his father’s death—it was like a bolt from the blue.
• I was shocked when I received the news that my job had been eliminated—it was like a bolt from the blue.
• Mary was completely taken aback when her partner announced he was leaving her—it was like a bolt from the blue.

Idioms with similar meaning

"Don't judge a book by its cover" is an English idiom that means you shouldn't make assumptions about someone or something based solely on its appearance. In Japanese, the similar idiom is "Hana yori dango," which translates to "Dumplings rather than flowers." This idiom means that substance is more important than appearance.