Question

Bolt from the Blue something sudden, unexpected, and shocking

Accepted Answer

Mr. Barnes's pop quiz hit us like a bolt from the blue. This expression has been used since at least the early 1800s. Picture a calm, clear, blue sky. You'd probably be surprised, even startled, if a bolt of lightning suddenly cracked down. In the same way, any big surprise is like lightning shooting out of a clear, blue sky. You just don't expect it to happen. (Note: this expression usually refers to very bad news.) A related idiom is "out of the clear, blue sky" (see page 140).

Idiom	Bolt from the Blue
Example	Mr. Barnes's pop quiz hit us like a bolt from the blue.
Meaning	something sudden, unexpected, and shocking
Origin	This expression has been used since at least the early 1800s. Picture a calm, clear, blue sky. You'd probably be surprised, even startled, if a bolt of lightning suddenly cracked down. In the same way, any big surprise is like lightning shooting out of a clear, blue sky. You just don't expect it to happen. (Note: this expression usually refers to very bad news.) A related idiom is "out of the clear, blue sky" (see page 140).

Blue Bolt Clear Expression Sky Lightning Mr Barnes's