The idiom "bolt from the blue" means a sudden and unexpected event or news that surprises and shocks someone. It refers to a lightning bolt that appears suddenly and without warning from a clear blue sky.
You can use this idiom in situations where something unexpected happens, such as receiving bad news or experiencing a sudden change in circumstances. For example, if someone is suddenly fired from their job without any warning, they might say, "It was a bolt from the blue. I never saw it coming."
Another example could be if someone unexpectedly wins the lottery, they might say, "Winning the lottery was a bolt from the blue. I never thought it would happen to me."
In short, the idiom "bolt from the blue" is used to describe a sudden and unexpected event that catches someone off guard.
• A sudden bolt from the blue scared the cat.
• The announcement of the new policy was a bolt from the blue for the industry.
• The company's decision to shut down the branch was a bolt from the blue for the employees.
• The news of her friend's sudden death came as a bolt from the blue.
• Just when we thought everything was going smoothly, a bolt from the blue hit us and we were back to square one.
• Winning the lottery was a bolt from the blue that changed his life forever.