The phrase “go to the blue” is an expression that has a few different potential meanings depending on the context. At its core, it refers to going towards or focusing on something related to the color blue. However, the specific meaning can vary. Here are some of the common ways “go to the blue” is used:
Referring to a blue area or object
One of the most literal uses of “go to the blue” is when it refers to physically going towards an area, location or object that is blue in color. For example:
– “The instructions say to go to the blue door on the left.”
– “Let’s go to the blue section of the store to find jeans.”
– “When you get outside, go to the blue car parked in the last row.”
In these cases, “go to the blue” simply means to physically walk, drive or move towards something that is blue. This usage is pretty straightforward – it’s just referring to something blue.
Referring to conservatives or the Republican party
In the United States, the color blue is often used to represent the Republican party and conservative policies. So saying “go to the blue” can be a shorthand way to refer to supporting conservatives or Republicans. For example:
– “That district has been going to the blue in recent elections, with conservative candidates winning.”
– “If you want lower taxes, you’ll need to go to the blue and vote Republican.”
– “The state is shifting to the blue this year.”
Here, “going to the blue” means to shift towards voting for or supporting the Republican party or conservative ideology. The “blue” refers specifically to the color associated with conservatism in the US.
Referring to something depressing or sad
The color blue is also often associated with feeling down, depressed or sad. Saying “go to the blue” can mean entering into a state of depression, sadness or melancholy. For example:
– “Ever since Mary lost her job, she’s been going to the blue and moping around the house.”
– “The long winter months left John going to the blue until spring arrived.”
– “I always go to the blue during the holidays when I can’t see my family.”
Here the “blue” refers to the feelings of sadness and melancholy associated with the color blue. “Going to the blue” signals a shift towards depression.
Referring to the blue ocean strategy in business
In the world of business, “go to the blue” can refer to pursuing a “blue ocean strategy”. This refers to focusing on creating new markets and products rather than competing in crowded existing markets (which are referred to as “red oceans” full of competition). For example:
– “Our company needs to go to the blue and develop some innovative new product lines.”
– “Rather than cutting prices to compete in this red ocean, we should go to the blue and find open opportunities.”
– “Going to the blue enabled us to create a unique niche.”
Here “the blue” means pursuing unknown innovation and new markets like the wide open blue ocean, as opposed to red oceans soaked in competition.
Referring to feeling blue from chlorine in swimming pools
In swimming and pool maintenance, “going to the blue” can mean turning blue or green from the chlorine in pool water. For example:
– “My blonde hair always goes to the blue after swimming in the pool.”
– “We need to shock the pool because the water is going to the blue.”
– “Reduce the chlorine or you’ll go to the blue if you swim too long.”
The chlorine chemicals in pool water can turn fair hair, skin, and bathing suits blueish-green. So “going to the blue” refers to this discoloration effect.
Referring to diving into deep water
When swimming in the ocean or in a deep lake, “going to the blue” can refer to diving down into deep, blue colored water. For example:
– “The freediver went to the blue for over 3 minutes on a single breath.”
– “Once you go to the blue past 70 feet, it feels eerie and isolated.”
– “We challenged each other to go to the blue to see who could dive the deepest.”
Here the phrase reflects how deep water appears dark blue or even black. So diving down into it can be described as “going to the blue”.
Referring to linking to a blue hypertext link online
On the internet, hyperlinks often appear in blue text. So saying “go to the blue” can simply refer to clicking on a blue hyperlink. For example:
– “If you want to order, go to the blue ‘Buy Now’ link at the top.”
– “Just go to the blue text that says ‘Sign Up’ to create an account.”
– “Make sure you go to the blue ‘Contact Us’ link to send a message.”
In these cases, “go to the blue” just means clicking on text that is blue, since blue normally indicates a hyperlink on a webpage or app.
Referring to feeling blue/sad from music
In music or poetry, “going to the blue” can mean a song or poem that induces feelings of sadness, longing, or melancholy. For example:
– “That country song really goes to the blue with its themes of loss and heartbreak.”
– “The band is known for moody ballads that take listeners to the blue.”
– “The poet’s ode goes to the blue as he reflects on grief and pain.”
Here the blue refers to “the blues” – a feeling of mournfulness and sadness. So music, poems or art that conjure those emotions can be said to “go to the blue”.
Referring to colors on a blueprint
On architectural and engineering blueprints, the color blue often indicates structural elements. So saying “go to the blue” when reviewing a blueprint means to look at the structural parts drawn in blue. For example:
– “We need to go to the blue on this blueprint to see the location of the building’s support columns.”
– “The blue areas on the blueprint are for ventilation and plumbing components.”
– “Just go to the blue to see the main weight-bearing elements of the design.”
Referring to the blue-colored operations section of a military plan
In military planning, the operations section of a given plan is often marked in blue. So troops may be instructed to “go to the blue” when reviewing a combat plan, meaning to read the operations section specifically. For example:
– “Go to the blue if you want to review the targets and objectives for tomorrow’s mission.”
– “The blue outlines the timeline and battle plan – make sure to go to the blue before we deploy.”
– “Troops, tonight go to the blue so you’re familiar with the maneuvers for this operation.”
Referring to feeling blue from cold temperatures
Extreme cold can cause the skin and lips to take on a bluish tone from reduced blood circulation. So “going to the blue” can refer to feeling chilled, blue, and numb from the cold. For example:
– “After only 10 minutes outside, my fingers were going to the blue.”
– “Once that blizzard hits, we’ll be going to the blue even inside the house.”
– “With his lips going to the blue, we knew we needed to get him warm immediately.”
The expression reflects how the color blue represents feelings of coldness.
Key Takeaways and Conclusion
The phrase “go to the blue” has a diverse range of meanings depending on the context:
| Meaning | Example |
| Go towards a blue object or location | “Go to the blue car in the parking lot” |
| Shift support towards Republicans/conservatives | “Recent elections have gone to the blue in the state” |
| Become sad or depressed | “He’s been going to the blue all month” |
| Pursue blue ocean strategy in business | “We should go to the blue and innovate” |
| Turn blue/green from pool chlorine | “My hair goes to the blue in the pool” |
| Dive into deep blue water | “The freediver went to the blue for 5 minutes” |
| Click a blue hyperlink online | “Go to the blue ‘Contact Us’ link” |
| Feel sad from melancholy music/poetry | “That song really goes to the blue” |
| Look at blue structural elements on a blueprint | “Go to the blue to see the support beams” |
| Review the blue operations section of a military plan | “Troops, go to the blue and review the battle timeline” |
| Turn blue and numb from extreme cold | “After the blizzard, we were going to the blue” |
In summary, “go to the blue” is a versatile phrase that can mean anything from physically going to something blue, to feeling depressed or cold, to reviewing blueprints or plans, based on the context. It draws on different symbolic meanings of the color blue to convey these varied sentiments. But at its core, it always refers to moving towards something blue, whether literally or figuratively. When you hear “go to the blue”, think about what blue could signify in that situation – it likely holds a more nuanced meaning beyond just a color.
