something that you do not expect to happen and that surprises you very much.

The news that they had got married was a bolt from the blue.

He seemed to be very happy in his job, so his resignation came as a bolt out of the blue.

• take the shine off
• take the shine off something
• take the sting out of
• take the sting out of something
• take the time
• take the time to do something
• take the wind out of sails
• take the wind out of someone's sails
• take the wind out of your sails
• take the words out of mouth
• take the words out of someone's mouth
• take the words right out of mouth
• take the words right out of someone's mouth
• take the wraps off
• take the wraps off something
• take the wrong way
• take time
• take time out
• take to
• take to doing something
• take to heart
• take to heels
• take to like a duck to water
• take to someone
• take to something