bolt from the blue
Completely unexpected occurrence
A bolt from the blue is something completely unexpected—a sudden event with no warning.
The image is of lightning from a clear sky, striking without the dark clouds that would signal a storm.
The layoffs came as a bolt from the blue.
Her resignation was a bolt from the blue; nobody saw it coming.
Extremely shocked or amazed
- stunnedShocked into speechlessness
- joltedAbruptly shaken or startled
- staggeredShocked or unevenly spaced
- reelingUnsteady from shock
shaken · dumbstruck · floored · blindsided · rocked · rattled · whiplash · impact
Atmospheric electrical discharge
- flashBrief burst of light
- instantBriefest unit of time
- split-secondFraction of a moment
- abruptSharp and unexpected
snap · whirlwind · overnight · out of nowhere · without warning · in a heartbeat · meteoric · swift
Not predicted or expected
- unanticipatedNot predicted beforehand
- unlooked-forNot anticipated or foreseen
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
- chanceLikelihood of occurrence
random · freak · wild card · curveball · twist of fate · long shot · against the odds · surprise ending
Violent disturbance of order
- bombshellShocking sudden revelation
- earthquakeSeismic ground movement
- shockwavePropagating pressure disturbance
- turning pointDecisive moment of change
game-changer · watershed · sea change · reversal · upset · derailment · curveball · wrench in the works
Intense sudden wonder
- amazementOverwhelming surprise and wonder
- stupefactionMental numbness from shock
- flabbergastedOverwhelmed with amazement
- gobsmackedExtremely astonished
dumbfounded · astounded · thunderclap · speechless · incredulity · wonderment · confounded · nonplussed
thunderstruck
Extremely shocked or amazed
- stunnedShocked into speechlessness
- joltedAbruptly shaken or startled
- staggeredShocked or unevenly spaced
reeling · shaken · dumbstruck · floored · blindsided · rocked · rattled · whiplash · impact · bombshell
lightning
Atmospheric electrical discharge
- flashBrief burst of light
- instantBriefest unit of time
- split-secondFraction of a moment
abrupt · snap · whirlwind · overnight · out of nowhere · without warning · in a heartbeat · meteoric · swift · rapid-fire
unforeseen
Not predicted or expected
- unanticipatedNot predicted beforehand
- unlooked-forNot anticipated or foreseen
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
chance · random · freak · wild card · curveball · twist of fate · long shot · against the odds · surprise ending · plot twist
upheaval
Violent disturbance of order
- bombshellShocking sudden revelation
- earthquakeSeismic ground movement
- shockwavePropagating pressure disturbance
turning point · game-changer · watershed · sea change · reversal · upset · derailment · curveball · wrench in the works · upending
astonishment
Intense sudden wonder
- amazementOverwhelming surprise and wonder
- stupefactionMental numbness from shock
- flabbergastedOverwhelmed with amazement
gobsmacked · dumbfounded · astounded · thunderclap · speechless · incredulity · wonderment · confounded · nonplussed · jaw-dropping
- Lightninglightning, lightning strike, flash, fork lightning, forked lightning
- 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
- Surprise reactionsshock, gasp, startle, flinch, jump
bolt from the blueforegone conclusion
Result assumed beforehand
predictable · expected · foreseeable · routine · usual
bolt from the blueslow burn
Gradual buildup of rage
long time coming · writing on the wall · evolutionary change
bolt from the bluenon-event
Disappointing lack of significance
business as usual · same old same old · nothing new · unremarkable · mundane
blue, bolt, blueprint, bolted, bolting, blueberry, thunderbolt, deadbolt, unbolt