☁️ Out of a Clear (Blue) Sky: Unpacking Sudden Surprises 🌈
Definition: Unexpectedly, suddenly. The image of something dropping from the sky was transferred to sudden or surprising events in the late nineteenth century. “He dropped upon me suddenly out of a clear sky,” wrote W. E. Norris (Marietta’s Marriage, 1897). It also was put simply as out of the blue, “the blue” having signified the sky (or the sea) since the seventeenth century. Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote in a letter in 1910, “I got an encouragement out of the blue . . . in the form of an honorary degree.”
Related Terms:
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Drop a Bombshell: To say something surprising or shocking.
- “When she announced her resignation, it was like she dropped a bombshell.”
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Bolt from the Blue: An unexpected event.
- “His sudden decision to move to Brazil was a bolt from the blue.”
-
Out of the Left Field: Unexpectedly or surprisingly.
- “His suggestion came out of the left field.”
-
Catch Someone Off Guard: To surprise someone.
- “The news caught everyone off guard.”
Synonyms:
- Unexpectedly
- Suddenly
- Abruptly
- Spontaneously
Antonyms:
- Predictably
- Expectedly
- Foreseen
- Preparedly
Proverbs & Quotes:
- “The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.” — William James
- “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” — John Lennon
Literature, Book Suggestions, and References:
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: Experience the unexpected twists of Jay Gatsby’s life.
- A Sudden Light by Garth Stein: Dive into surprises hidden within family secrets.
Movies:
- Forrest Gump (1994): A film where unexpected events keep the momentum going.
- Back to the Future (1985): Full of surprising twists via time travel.
Songs:
- “Life is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane: Life’s unpredictabilities illustrated through song.
- “Blindside” by Hunter Hayes: About unforeseen life events.
Poetry:
- “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost: The surprises of taking the unexpected path.
Inspirational Thought: “Embrace the surprises of life, for they are the milestones that make our journey unique and memorable.”
Author: Penny Punctual, publishing whimsical wisdom on October 7, 2023. Embrace life’s unexpected moments and let them enrich your journey!
