Blue is a color often linked to emotions, moods, and even the way we see the world. People use the word “blue” in many idioms to express feelings and situations that go beyond just describing the color itself. These idioms can help us explain things like sadness, calmness, or even something that is rare or special. By using idioms, we can make our conversations or writing more colorful and interesting.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common idioms that include the word “blue.” These expressions give us a creative way to talk about everyday situations. Whether it’s feeling “blue” or describing a “blue moon,” these idioms help us understand and express different emotions and experiences.
Idioms for Blue
1. Feeling Blue
Meaning: Feeling sad or unhappy.
Samples: After the long weekend, she felt blue because school was starting again.
To Put it Another Way: She was feeling down. / He was sad all day.
2. Once in a Blue Moon
Meaning: Something that happens very rarely.
Samples: We only get a snowstorm in April once in a blue moon.
To Put it Another Way: It’s a rare event. / It doesn’t happen often.
3. Blue Blood
Meaning: A person from a royal or noble family.
Samples: She comes from a blue-blood family, so she’s used to a life of luxury.
To Put it Another Way: She’s from a noble background. / He belongs to the aristocracy.
4. Out of the Blue
Meaning: Something unexpected or surprising.
Samples: Out of the blue, he called me and said he was moving to town.
To Put it Another Way: It happened suddenly. / It was a surprise.
5. True Blue
Meaning: Loyal, faithful, or honest.
Samples: He’s a true blue friend, always there when I need him.
To Put it Another Way: She’s completely trustworthy. / He’s very loyal.
6. Blue Sky Thinking
Meaning: Creative or imaginative ideas that are not limited by practical considerations.
Samples: During the meeting, John’s blue sky thinking led to some exciting new ideas.
To Put it Another Way: He was thinking outside the box. / She had bold, innovative ideas.
7. Blue Ribbon
Meaning: The best, first prize, or the highest quality.
Samples: The school’s blue ribbon team won first place in the science fair.
To Put it Another Way: They won the top prize. / It’s the best of the best.
8. Into the Blue
Meaning: Going into the unknown or uncharted.
Samples: We set sail into the blue, unsure of what we would find.
To Put it Another Way: We ventured into the unknown. / We stepped into unexplored territory.
9. Blue-Collar
Meaning: Referring to working-class people who do manual labor or skilled trades.
Samples: He’s always worked a blue-collar job in construction.
To Put it Another Way: He works in a labor-intensive job. / He’s part of the working class.
10. Feeling Blue Around the Edges
Meaning: Feeling somewhat sad or depressed, but not severely.
Samples: She was feeling blue around the edges after hearing the bad news.
To Put it Another Way: She wasn’t completely down, but she was sad. / He felt a bit down.
11. Blue Moon
Meaning: A very rare event.
Samples: He only visits his hometown once in a blue moon.
To Put it Another Way: It happens only once in a long time. / It’s a rare occurrence.
12. Blue as a Berry
Meaning: Very sad or upset.
Samples: She looked as blue as a berry after hearing her favorite show was canceled.
To Put it Another Way: She was very upset. / He felt heartbroken.
13. Blue Pencil
Meaning: To edit or censor something, especially by deleting parts.
Samples: The editor decided to blue pencil the sensitive parts of the story.
To Put it Another Way: They removed parts from the text. / He edited out the details.
14. A Bolt from the Blue
Meaning: A sudden, unexpected event, often surprising or shocking.
Samples: The news of her resignation came as a bolt from the blue.
To Put it Another Way: It was a shock. / It was a complete surprise.
15. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Meaning: Being in a difficult situation with no easy solution.
Samples: I was caught between the devil and the deep blue sea when choosing between two jobs.
To Put it Another Way: I was in a tough spot. / I couldn’t make a choice.
16. Blue at the Gills
Meaning: Looking sick or unwell.
Samples: After the long trip, he looked blue at the gills and had to rest.
To Put it Another Way: He looked pale and ill. / She didn’t look well.
17. Blue Eyes
Meaning: A person with an innocent or naive appearance.
Samples: He may have those blue eyes, but don’t let them fool you—he’s very clever.
To Put it Another Way: She looks innocent, but she’s smart. / He has an innocent face.
18. The Blues
Meaning: A feeling of sadness or melancholy.
Samples: She’s had the blues ever since she moved to the new city.
To Put it Another Way: She’s feeling down. / He’s in a sad mood.
19. Out of the Blue Sky
Meaning: Something unexpected that happens suddenly.
Samples: Out of the blue sky, I got a call from my old friend.
To Put it Another Way: It came as a surprise. / It happened unexpectedly.
20. Blue as the Sky
Meaning: Very clear or bright.
Samples: The ocean looked blue as the sky, shining in the afternoon sun.
To Put it Another Way: It was as clear as the sky. / The water was sparkling.
21. Blue Mood
Meaning: A temporary mood of sadness or feeling low.
Samples: He was in a blue mood all day after the argument.
To Put it Another Way: He was feeling down. / She wasn’t in a good mood.
22. The Bluebird of Happiness
Meaning: A symbol of happiness or joy.
Samples: She felt like the bluebird of happiness when she received the good news.
To Put it Another Way: She felt joyous. / It was a moment of pure happiness.
23. A Blue Light Special
Meaning: A limited-time discount or special offer.
Samples: The store was having a blue light special on toys, so I grabbed a few.
To Put it Another Way: It was a big sale. / They had a special discount.
24. Blue as a Smurf
Meaning: Extremely blue in color.
Samples: After being outside too long, I looked blue as a Smurf from the cold.
To Put it Another Way: I was really cold. / I was freezing.
25. Blue in the Face
Meaning: To argue or discuss something for a long time without getting results.
Samples: We argued until we were blue in the face, but my brother still didn’t agree.
To Put it Another Way: We debated for hours. / He didn’t change his mind.
26. Blue Moon Rising
Meaning: A rare opportunity or event that seems to be on the horizon.
Samples: A blue moon rising in this job market is the chance to land your dream job.
To Put it Another Way: It’s a rare chance coming soon. / The opportunity doesn’t happen often.
27. A Blue Ribbon Day
Meaning: A day that is especially good or rewarding.
Samples: I won the contest, and it was truly a blue ribbon day for me.
To Put it Another Way: It was a great day. / I had an amazing day.
28. A Blue Streak
Meaning: A burst of energy or activity, usually fast.
Samples: He ran down the hallway in a blue streak, racing to class.
To Put it Another Way: He was moving quickly. / She was very fast.
29. Blue-eyed Boy
Meaning: A person who is favored or admired by someone.
Samples: The teacher always calls on Jake, the blue-eyed boy in class.
To Put it Another Way: He’s the favorite student. / He gets special attention.
30. Blue Ribbon Winner
Meaning: Someone who has won first place or achieved the best.
Samples: She was the blue ribbon winner of the science fair, taking home the top prize.
To Put it Another Way: She won first place. / She took the top honor.
Find the Topics: Idioms for Blue
Read the passage below and see how many of the idioms with “blue” you can find. Underline or list all the idioms you spot.
The Blue Day at the Fair
At the local fair, everything seemed perfect. It was a blue ribbon day for the community, as there were exciting events and lots of families having fun. However, the weather took an unexpected turn, and out of the blue, a sudden rainstorm hit. People ran for cover, but some of the kids stayed outside, feeling blue because they couldn’t enjoy the rides.
Then, a special announcement came over the loudspeaker: “We are having a blue light special on all tickets for the next hour!” This brought a burst of energy to the crowd, and many people rushed to get their discounted tickets. The whole fairgrounds was buzzing with excitement, as if blue sky thinking had come to life.
Later, a group of musicians took the stage. Their performance was so magical it felt like something out of a fairy tale. One of the musicians, known for his blue blood background, played a solo that left the audience in awe. Everyone applauded, as it felt like a blue moon event so rare and spectacular.
By the end of the day, the fair had ended on a high note, and people were filled with joy, feeling blue in the face from smiling so much.
Answer Key
- Blue ribbon day
- Out of the blue
- Feeling blue
- Blue light special
- Blue sky thinking
- Blue blood
- Blue moon
- Blue in the face
Conclusion
Idioms with “blue” bring color and creativity to our everyday language. Whether we’re describing a rare event, expressing emotions, or explaining someone’s background, these idioms help us convey ideas in a fun and interesting way. By learning them, we can make our conversations and writing more lively and expressive. So, the next time you’re feeling a bit blue or something unexpected happens out of the blue, you’ll have the right words to explain it!
