bolt from blue
Completely unexpected event
A bolt from the blue is something completely unexpected—a sudden shock or surprise with no warning.
The image is of lightning striking from a clear sky: The layoffs came as a bolt from the blue.
Also appears as bolt out of the blue or simply out of the blue.
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- surpriseUnexpected event causing astonishment
- lightningAtmospheric electrical discharge
- thunderStorm's acoustic aftermath
sudden · startling · bombshell · rude awakening · news · jolt · revelation · out of nowhere · unforeseen · caught off guard · astonishing · stunning · blindsided · curveball · plot twist · twist · storm · sky
- Weather Idiomsunder the weather, when it rains it pours, come rain or shine, rain check, take a rain check
- epiphaniesepiphany, aha moment, eureka, aha, lightbulb moment
- Upsetsupset, upset victory, upset win, underdog victory, underdog win
- accidentsaccident, car accident, bike accident, mishap, traffic accident
- turning pointsturning point, defining moment, pivotal event, pivotal moment, crossroads
bolt from blueforegone conclusion
Result assumed beforehand
foreseen · anticipated · preordained · writing on the wall · matter of course
bolt from blueforegone conclusion
Result assumed beforehand
sure thing · certainty · known quantity · no-brainer · safe bet
bolt, blue, bolts, bolted, bolting, bluer, bluest, blues, bluish