Question

Select the meaning of the given phrase/idiom.
“A bolt from the blue. “
A. A shot
B. A sudden and unexpected event
C. An accident
D. An unexpected attack

Answer 1

Hint: The idiom “a bolt from the blue sky”refers to a sudden and unexpected event. An instance that comes as a surprise. Example: His withdrawal from contesting the elections was a bolt from the blue sky for his supporters. (Here, it means that his supporters never expected the contestant to withdraw from the elections).

Complete answer:
Let us analyse each option individually in detail to know the correct answer with the help of the above stated hint.

A shot: The word ‘shot’ means a sudden strike. This doesn’t mean something similar to the meaning of the given idiom. Therefore, this is not the correct option.

A sudden and unexpected event : A sudden and unexpected event means an instance which nobody could see coming or an incident which is not foreseen. This means the same as the given idiom. Therefore, this is the correct option.

An accident : The word ‘accident’ means an unfortunate happening caused by mistake. This doesn’t mean similar to the given idiom. Therefore, this is not the correct option.

An unexpected attack : An unexpected attack means a violent or aggressive approach that is not foreseen. This doesn’t mean similar to the given idiom. Therefore, this is not the correct option.

Hence, the correct answer is option ‘B’.

Note:Idioms and phrases are a group of words that have cultural meanings. They doesn’t necessarily mean simply as the independent words consisting in them. Example: ‘’born with a silver spoon”. Here, it doesn’t mean someone is born with a spoon that is silver, it means someone who is born in a rich family and has access to immense luxuries and liberties right from their birth.