Meaning: Suddenly and unexpectedly
Hindi: अचानक
Synonyms: unexpectedly, suddenly, without warning
Antonyms: predictably, expectedly
Asked in: SSC CGL 2023 T-1 · SSC MTS 2023 · SSC CHSL 2023 T-1 · SSC Selection Post Ph-9 2021 GL · SSC MTS 2021 · SSC GD 2021 T-1 · SSC CGL 2020 T-1
out of the blue in SSC previous-year questions
- SSC CGL 2023 T-1 Idioms & Phrases
Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
Out of the blueAnswer & explanation
Answer: D) Unexpectedly
Answer: Unexpectedly
Solution:
• The idiom “Out of the blue” means something happening suddenly and unexpectedly (अचानक / बिना पूर्व सूचना के). ✅
• Option meanings:
• Undoubtedly – without doubt (निःसंदेह) ❌
• Unbelievably – hard to believe (अविश्वसनीय) ❌
• Unconcerned – not worried (उदासीन) ❌
• Unexpectedly – without warning or anticipation (अचानक) ✅ - SSC CGL 2020 T-1 Idioms & Phrases
Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
Out of the blueAnswer & explanation
Answer: C) Completely unexpectedly
Answer: Completely unexpectedly
Solution:
• The idiom "out of the blue" means something that happens suddenly and without any warning — completely unexpectedly.
• It often refers to events or surprises that come as a shock.
Why the other options are incorrect:
• Beat someone black and blue – a different idiom meaning to hit someone severely.
• Loves to wear only blue colour clothes – literal and unrelated.
• Completely honestly – unrelated to surprise or unexpectedness. - SSC MTS 2023 Idioms & Phrases
Select the most appropriate idiom to fill in the blank.
She told me, ________, that she was going to live in New York.Answer & explanation
Answer: C) out of the blue
The most appropriate idiom to fill in the blank is: out of the blue This idiom is used to describe something unexpected or happening suddenly and without warning.
black and blue: Bruised or beaten, typically used to describe someone who has physical injuries resulting in discoloration.
once in a blue moon: Very rarely, not occurring frequently. It describes an event that happens infrequently or seldom.
blue blood: Refers to someone of noble or aristocratic birth, often used metaphorically to indicate high social status or lineage.
Examples
- “He called me out of the blue after years.”
out of the blue – questions
What is the meaning of out of the blue in Hindi?
out of the blue means “अचानक” in Hindi. In English: Suddenly and unexpectedly
What are the synonyms of out of the blue?
Synonyms of out of the blue: unexpectedly, suddenly, without warning.
What is the opposite of out of the blue?
Antonyms of out of the blue: predictably, expectedly.
Has out of the blue been asked in SSC exams?
Yes – out of the blue has been asked 7 times in SSC exams: SSC CGL 2023 T-1, SSC MTS 2023, SSC CHSL 2023 T-1, SSC Selection Post Ph-9 2021 GL, SSC MTS 2021, SSC GD 2021 T-1, SSC CGL 2020 T-1.