The saying “out of the blue” refers to something happening unexpectedly or without warning. It evokes an image of something suddenly appearing from a clear blue sky. This common idiom is used to describe an event or situation that occurs randomly, without any build up or prior signs. In this article, we will explore the origins and meanings behind this popular phrase.
Meaning and Usage
When something happens “out of the blue,” it catches us off guard. There is no obvious cause or preceding events that would make us anticipate it. Some examples include:
– Receiving a surprise gift or gesture from someone when you were not expecting it.
– A friend you haven’t heard from in years suddenly contacting you.
– An unexpected emergency or accident disrupting your day.
– A random bout of illness striking with no prior symptoms.
So “out of the blue” implies randomness, unexpectedness, and a lack of warning. It’s often used to emphasize how surprised we are by something that happens. The phrase can also sometimes have a slightly negative connotation, like when it refers to unpleasant surprises. But it can also be used in a positive or neutral way.
Origins
The exact origins of “out of the blue” are unknown, but some etymologists trace it back to the late 1800s. One theory is that it developed from the earlier phrase “like a bolt from the blue” or “like a thunderbolt from a clear sky.” This refers to how lightning can seem to randomly and unexpectedly strike from a clear blue sky.
The first known published use of “out of the blue” appeared in the book “Pudd’nhead Wilson” by Mark Twain in 1894:
“A thunderbolt out of a clear sky smote the pilgrim today.”
So the phrase likely evolved as a shortened version of the “bolt/thunderbolt from the blue” metaphor. The concept of sudden lightning from nowhere captured how surprising and jarring these unexpected events can feel.
Similar Idioms
“Out of the blue” belongs to a category of idioms using colors to describe unpredictability:
– Like a bolt from the blue
– Out of the clear blue sky
– Like a thunderbolt from a clear sky
– Out of a clear blue sky
– Out of the green
The use of “blue” in these phrases refers to the peaceful, cloudless blue sky. So something appearing unexpectedly “out of the blue” originates from that tranquil setting.
Other idioms that also capture the meaning of something happening randomly include:
– Out of nowhere
– Out of thin air
– Out of left field
– Like a stab in the dark
– A shot in the dark
Examples in Sentences
Here are some example sentences using “out of the blue” in context:
– Mary received a phone call *out of the blue* from her childhood best friend who she hadn’t talked to in over 10 years.
– A pigeon appeared *out of the blue* and stole Sandra’s sandwich while she was eating lunch in the park!
– The company announced massive layoffs *out of the blue*, without any prior warning to employees.
– Your thoughtful gift for my birthday was such a pleasant surprise *out of the blue* – thank you!
– The bright flash of lightning *out of the blue* startled us as we were walking along the beach.
In Literature
Many famous writers and texts have used “out of the blue” to emphasize chance events or unexpected twists:
– “The possibility of physical and mental collapse is now very real. No more than five miles stand between me and an outside telephone booth. Moving towards it, my aching legs shake badly, but I stay upright out of my great desire to walk into John’s office *out of the blue* and tell him what occurred up in the mountains.” (from “Into the Wild” by Jon Krakauer)
– “A sudden blow: the great wings beating still above the staggering girl, her thighs caressed by the dark webs, her nape caught in his bill, he holds her helpless breast upon his breast. How can those terrified vague fingers push away the feathered glory from her loosening thighs? Out of the blue they came.” (from Lord Alfred Tennyson’s poem “The Eagle”)
– “The dead man had hidden the diamonds in the lining of his vest, stitched them inside like contraband. Four flawless diamonds *out of the blue*.” (from James M. Cain’s novel “Double Indemnity”)
In Songs
There are also many popular songs that use the phrase “out of the blue” in their lyrics. A few examples include:
– “Out of the Blue” by Electric Light Orchestra: “It came to me *out of the blue*, breaking me down, tearing me up, putting me through…”
– “Calls Me Home” by Shannon LaBrie: “Blessed in blue, love came down *out of the blue*, calls me home…”
– “Life of the Party” by Shawn Mendes: “Something unpredictable, but in the end it’s right, I hope you had the time of your life…Like a dream that’s ready to burst *out of the blue*.”
– “Telephone” by Lady Gaga: “Boy, the way you blowin’ up my phone won’t make me leave no faster, put my coat on faster, leave my girls no faster…I’m busy, don’t call me later, *out of the blue*, just to say hi…”
In Movies and TV
We can also find the saying used in movies and television scripts to set up unexpected twists and coincidences:
– In an episode of *Friends*, Chandler describes how he reunited with his estranged father: “We bumped into each other *out of the blue* in a coffee shop one day.”
– In *Forrest Gump*, Jenny suddenly turns up after disappearing and tells Gump she had been thinking of him: “I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately, and I just wanted to let you know that I’m doing fine, and if you ever want to, you can reach me at this number. Okay, well, take care.” Forrest replies: “Where did you come from *out of the blue* like that?”
| Movie | Quote Using “Out of the Blue” |
|---|---|
| The Matrix | “Mr. Anderson, it seems we meet again. Yeah, you left me here, I don’t know how you did that, but here you are again *out of the blue*.” |
| Good Will Hunting | “You just come *out of the blue*, no warning, no nothing.” |
| The Avengers | “What happened here? Please tell me nobody kissed me *out of the blue*.” |
In News and Politics
In news and politics, “out of the blue” can be used when describing surprising events or policy decisions:
– The President’s controversial executive order seemed to come *out of the blue*, with no consultation with Congress.
– Without warning, the central bank announced an interest rate cut *out of the blue*, puzzling many financial experts.
– The senator abruptly changed positions *out of the blue* on a piece of legislation he had long opposed.
– The celebrity couple filed for divorce *out of the blue*, surprising fans who had no inkling of marital troubles.
– After months of calm, violence flared up again *out of the blue* in the unstable region.
Conclusion
In summary, the idiom “out of the blue” colorfully conveys the unexpected and random nature of certain events. It originated as a metaphor comparing the suddenness of lightning appearing from a clear blue sky. While the exact origins of the phrase are murky, it became popular in the late 19th century. Today, we use it in many contexts to emphasize the surprise factor and lack of warning when something unpredictable happens or someone makes a spontaneous gesture. So next time something takes you by surprise, feel free to exclaim it came “out of the blue!”