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3. bolt from the blue

bolt from the blue

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bolt from the blue

Fig. a sudden surprise. (Alludes to a stroke of lightning from a cloudless sky.) Joe's return to Springfield was a bolt from the blue. The news that Mr. and Mrs. King were getting a divorce struck all their friends as a bolt from the blue.

See also: blue, bolt

bolt from the blue

A sudden, shocking surprise or turn of events.

See also: blue, bolt