OUT OF THE BLUE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does out of the blue mean? 

• OUT OF THE BLUE (adjective)
  The adjective OUT OF THE BLUE has 1 sense:

1. not anticipated

  Familiarity information: OUT OF THE BLUE used as an adjective is very rare.

• OUT OF THE BLUE (adverb)
  The adverb OUT OF THE BLUE has 1 sense:

1. in a way that was not expected

  Familiarity information: OUT OF THE BLUE used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• OUT OF THE BLUE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Not anticipated

Synonyms:

out of the blue; unanticipated; unforeseen; unlooked-for; unseen

Context example:

unseen problems

Similar:

unexpected (not expected or anticipated)

• OUT OF THE BLUE (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In a way that was not expected

Synonyms:

out of the blue; unexpectedly

Context example:

her brother showed up at the wedding out of the blue

 Context examples 

Uranus is the planet of the unexpected and seems to come at you out of the blue without warning, so a project needed watching.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Down out of the blue it would rush, as it dropped upon him changing itself into the ubiquitous electric car.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

The wind was fair but fitful, and it was like looking for a needle in a haystack to raise that tiny boat out of the blue immensity.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

This is hard to predict because Uranus rules all events that are unanticipated, that seem to come out of the blue.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

A hawk, driving down out of the blue, had barely missed him.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

Uranus’ position suggests that you will have (or already have experienced) an obstacle that comes out of the blue.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

This suggests that a work project will come up out of the blue.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

If you hear of something, the news will come out of the blue.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Uranus was in an ideal angle to that eclipse, so you are due for lucky breaks that will come out of the blue.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

You could find yourself at the right place at the right time to meet someone new and interesting out of the blue.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)