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Out of the blue

Phrase of the day

Discover a new phrase each day to use in your English! These are special phrases and sayings that English speakers use all the time, but you don't often see these phrases in English course books or other study material. Visit daily to learn some popular English phrases on a regular basis.

7 April 2026

Out of the blue

We use this expression to say something happened as a complete surprise.

Written: Yes

Spoken: Yes

Formal: Yes

Informal: Yes

Example 1

Did you know Erica was coming to visit us?

No, she just telephoned out of the blue. It was a complete surprise.

Example 2

He's still in shock about the divorce.

Yes, apparently she just told him she was leaving him out of the blue

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