What does it mean to say a bolt from the blue?

Also, a bolt out of the blue. A sudden, unexpected event. For example, Bill’s dropping his life insurance was a bolt from the blue for his wife. This metaphoric term alludes to totally unforeseen lightning or thunder from a cloudless (blue) sky. [

Where does the phrase bolt from the blue come from?

An ordinary bow shoots an arrow, but a crossbow shoots a projectile called a bolt. The crossbow had a much longer range than regular bows, and the person who was targeted sometimes couldn’t see the shooter, hence, “a bolt from the blue” when the projectile landed.

What is the meaning of the idiom a bolt out of a clear sky?

Fig. suddenly and without warning. (Alludes to a bolt of lightning coming out of a clear blue sky.) The news came to us like a bolt from the blue.

How rare is a bolt from the blue?

Strange as it may sound, “bolts from the blue,” as they’re known, are not as rare as one may think. In fact, they’re a relatively common across the United States during the summer months.

Is there a blue lightning?

Lightning also can take on a range of colors, depending on conditions in the clouds and in the air. Typically, blue lightning within a cloud indicates the presence of hail. Red lightning within a cloud indicates the presence of rain.

What does a fish out of water mean?

A person away from his or her usual environment or activities. For example, Using a computer for the first time, Carl felt like a fish out of water, or On a hiking trail, Nell was a fish out of water. This expression alludes to the fact that fish cannot survive for long on dry land. [ Late 1300s]

Can lightning strike in a blue sky?

Can lightning strikeout of a blue sky? Yes, almost. Some lightning bolts can appear to hit from a clear blue sky. A “Bolt from the Blue” is a cloud-to-ground lightning bolt, which comes from the side of the thunderstorm cloud and travels through clear air away from the storm, eventually striking the ground.

What color lightning is the strongest?

White
White: most powerful lightning color White is the most dangerous color of lighting. It suggests both a low concentration of moisture and a high concentration of dust in air. We all are aware that being hit by lightning can have serious consequences.