Clear answers for common questions Learn more. out of the blue definition: 1. A bolt of lightning from a dark sky, rather than from out of the blue. Definition of a bolt from the blue in the Idioms Dictionary. It is important to realize that this phrase can be utilized in many different contexts. Many of these idiomatic phrases are used to express surprise. the webmaster's page for free fun contentAll content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. What does a bolt from the blue expression mean? Learn more. See more. What does a bolt from the blue expression mean? ‘Aware that such social tornadoes can twist towards them out of a clear sky, governments have learned to be cautious.’ ‘When angered, people burn, things break and fly around, lightning may strike out of a clear sky.’ ‘I've heard of Look it up now! Although “blue” was a poetic allusion to the sky by 1700, the precise expression dates from the early nineteenth century. Instead, their meanings evolve as they are used in a culture. If something happens out…. If something happens out of the blue, it is completely unexpected: 2.

By contrast, a "bolt from the blue" suggests that the lightning is coming from a blue sky, which would likely be extremely surprising to all those who see it.Wikibuy Review: A Free Tool That Saves You Time and Money Definitions by the largest Idiom Dictionary. Sometimes it may often refer to a sudden reversal of fortune for the person speaking. When Lightning Strikes Out of a Blue Sky An 11-year-old girl was the victim of a bolt on a clear, sunny day. DICTIONARY.COM The term refers to a bolt of lightning or thunder that comes from a blue (cloudless) sky and hence is not anticipated. Unfortunately, there are some occasions that may warrant the phrase to describe some negative things occurring unexpectedly. Many times, it seems like bad news comes out of nowhere, or, to use an idiom similar to this one, "out of the blue." "What Does the Idiomatic Expression "Bottom Line" Mean? Look it up now!

They often gain unique meanings that are quite different than any literal interpretation, and they are used by speakers to spice up speech with colloquial color. As an example, someone might say, "Getting that job interview so soon after being laid off was like a bolt from the blue." {{/displayLoginPopup}} {{#displayClassicSurvey}} Help us improve your Cambridge Dictionary experience. The implication there is that the new job offer was completely unexpected by the speaker.Idioms are phrases which take their meaning not from the literal definitions of their words or from their origins. Out of a clear blue sky definition at Dictionary.com, a free online dictionary with pronunciation, synonyms and translation. It appears in Thomas Carlyle’s description of chaotic events of the French Revolution: “Arrestment, sudden really as a bolt out of the blue, has hit strange victims” (1837). Instead, their meanings evolve as they are used in a culture. {{/displayLoginPopup}} {{#displayClassicSurvey}} Help us improve your Cambridge Dictionary experience. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.The news that Mr. and Mrs. King were getting a divorce struck all their friends as a bolt from the blue.She had given us no warning she was going to leave; it came as a complete bolt from the blue.a blow-by-blow account, description, etc.A Foreign Office spokesman had described the coup as `a bolt from the blue'.This refers to a flash of lightning (= a bolt) coming from a clear blue sky.The phrase refers to the unlikelihood of a thunderbolt coming out of a clear blue sky.A sudden, unexpected event, usually of a catastrophic nature. "This is one idiom where the meaning might be guessed simply by thinking about the phrase. a bolt from the blue phrase. Many times, people use it to describe something that is regarded as a stroke of good luck. Sky definition, the region of the clouds or the upper air; the upper atmosphere of the earth: airplanes in the sky; cloudy skies. THE GIST - Bolts of lightning can travel as far as 25 miles or more. A "bolt" is a reference to a lightning bolt, which would normally occur in the middle of a cloudy sky and a rainstorm. Idioms are phrases which take their meaning not from the literal definitions of their words or from their origins. Consider the sentence, "He was in such good health and he got sick just like that; it was a real bolt from the blue. Joe's return to Springfield was a bolt from the blue.Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionarysteal the march upon (someone or something)https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/a+bolt+from+the+blueMrs Thomas says the arrest had come `like a bolt out of the blue'.We always thought of Michael as a life-long bachelor, so it certainly was a bolt from the blue when he returned from his vacation sporting a wedding ring!steal the march on (someone or something) A sudden, shocking surprise or turn of events.steal a march upon (someone or something) Clear answers for common questions One of the most popular of these expressions is the phrase "bolt from the blue. On those occasions, this popular phrase may be used to describe the shock of the bad tidings for the speaker or for the person he or she is describing. 15 Creative Ways to Save Money That Actually Work

bolt definition: 1. a metal bar on a door or window that slides across to lock it closed: 2. a screw-like metal…. The atmosphere, as seen from a given point on the Earth's surface.