it was out of the blue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was out of the blue" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that happened unexpectedly or without warning. Example: "When she called me after five years, it was out of the blue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It was out of the blue.

The New Yorker

"It was a real shame because it was out of the blue," said Lancaster.

The Guardian - Sport

Out of the blue, she asked, 'How do you feel about losing a sister?' And because it was out of the blue I said, 'Terrible'.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Portugal, with Ronaldo now finding it difficult to get in the game after a promising first few minutes, could not say it was out of the blue.

The Guardian - Sport

"This whole time I had been in the system already and no one had said anything to me or my mom," said Ms. Rivera, 22, who was born in Colombia and entered the United States on false immigration documents when she was 4. "It was out of the blue for me".

The New York Times

The Micachu and the Shapes frontwoman was gigging with her band and working on her third album when she got a call asking if she wanted to work with film-maker Jonathan Glazer on a new project – a film he was directing called Under The Skin. "It was out of the blue," she said.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"It is out of the blue.

BBC

It was one of those out-of-the blue decisions.

The Guardian - Film

That was out of the blue.

The New York Times

This was out of the blue.

The New York Times

So this was out of the blue.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was out of the blue" to emphasize the unexpected nature of an event, especially when the lack of anticipation is central to the narrative. For example: "The job offer came completely out of the blue, as I hadn't applied anywhere recently."

Common error

Avoid using "it was out of the blue" for events that are reasonably foreseeable or part of a known process. Overusing it in such situations diminishes its impact. For instance, stating "The tax bill arrived out of the blue" is inaccurate, as tax bills are expected annually.

Linguistic Context

It was out of the blue primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the unexpected or sudden nature of an action or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable, denoting something that happened unexpectedly or without warning. It is widely recognized across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was out of the blue" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something unexpected. Ludwig AI analysis and examples demonstrate its frequent use in news and media to emphasize surprise. While suitable for many contexts, it's best to avoid overuse in predictable situations. Alternatives like "it came as a surprise" or "it was unexpected" can add nuance, and more formal options are available for professional writing. Keep in mind its generally neutral register when incorporating it into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it came as a complete surprise

Emphasizes the surprise aspect, highlighting the unexpected nature of the event. Changes the structure to focus on the surprise.

it was totally unexpected

Focuses on the lack of anticipation. Uses "totally" for emphasis, indicating a high degree of surprise.

it happened unexpectedly

Highlights the sudden and unanticipated occurrence of the event. Changes the focus to the manner of happening.

it was a bolt from the blue

Uses a different metaphor, "bolt from the blue", to convey suddenness and surprise. Shares the element of unexpectedness.

it was completely unforeseen

Underscores the lack of any prior indication or warning. Focuses on the inability to predict the event.

it was a sudden surprise

Combines the elements of suddenness and surprise. More direct in its description of the event.

it took me by surprise

Shifts the focus to the personal impact of the unexpected event. Highlights the element of being caught off guard.

it materialized from nowhere

Conveys the idea that the event appeared without any prior context or indication. Emphasizes the lack of origin or cause.

it arose without warning

Highlights the absence of any prior notice or indication. Focuses on the lack of a preparatory phase.

it occurred out of nowhere

Similar to "materialized from nowhere", this emphasizes the lack of a clear origin or preceding events.

FAQs

How can I use "it was out of the blue" in a sentence?

You can use "it was out of the blue" to describe something that happened unexpectedly or without any prior indication. For example, "Her call after all these years "came out of the blue"."

What are some alternatives to "it was out of the blue"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it was unexpected", "it came as a surprise", or "it was unforeseen", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it was out of the blue" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "it was out of the blue" leans toward informal usage. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "unexpectedly occurred" or "was unforeseen" for a more professional tone.

Can "it was out of the blue" be used to describe both positive and negative events?

Yes, "it was out of the blue" can describe both positive and negative events, as long as they are unexpected. For example, "Getting that promotion "was a pleasant surprise"", or "The sudden layoff "came as a shock"".