bolts from the blue
Completely unexpected events
Bolts from the blue are sudden, completely unexpected events—usually unpleasant surprises that arrive without warning.
The image is of lightning striking from a clear sky: The layoffs came as bolts from the blue.
Sometimes singular: Her resignation was a bolt from the blue.
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- rude awakeningStartling unpleasant realization
- astonishmentIntense sudden wonder
- jaw dropperAstonishing thing or event
- bewildermentState of being baffled
caught off guard · lightning · wake-up call · thunderbolt · shock wave · sudden impact · revelation · surprise · epiphany · plot twist · left field · wild card · blindsided · blind spot · jolt · disbelief · amazement · curveball
predictability
bolts from the bluewriting on the wall
Obvious omen of trouble
foregone conclusions · foregone conclusion · inevitabilities · certainties · sure things
bolt, bolts, bolted, bolting, blue, blueing, blueness, bluest