In English, color often conveys more than just hue. The word “blue” exemplifies this perfectly with its rich idiomatic usage, offering a fascinating glimpse into various expressions and phrases.
I share 20 “blue” idioms, providing their meanings and real-life examples to illustrate their use in everyday language. From the emotional depth of “feeling blue” to the rarity suggested by “once in a blue moon,” these idioms span a spectrum of meanings, connecting concepts of mood, rarity, and loyalty.
Each idiom is presented with factual clarity and directness, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of their context and application. This collection of idioms is particularly valuable for those interested in mastering English expressions and their nuanced meanings.
List of 20 idioms for blue
- 1. Feeling Blue
- 2. Once in a Blue Moon
- 3. Out of the Blue
- 4. True Blue
- 5. Blue Blood
- 6. Blue Collar
- 7. Blue Ribbon
- 8. Blue in the Face
- 9. Into the Wild Blue Yonder
- 10. Blue Sky Thinking
- 11. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
- 12. Blue Book
- 13. Scream Blue Murder
- 14. Sing the Blues
- 15. Blue Funk
- 16. Blue Pencil
- 17. Blue and Gold
- 18. Blue Streak
- 19. Orange You Glad
- 20. Blue Moon and Orange Sun
Best Idioms for Blue
Feeling Blue
Meaning: Feeling sad.
Example: I was feeling blue after hearing the bad news.
Once in a Blue Moon
Meaning: Rarely.
Example: We go out to eat once in a blue moon.
Out of the Blue
Meaning: Unexpectedly.
Example: The news came out of the blue.
True Blue
Meaning: Loyal and faithful.
Example: She’s a true blue friend, always there for me.
Blue Blood
Meaning: Nobility.
Example: He comes from a family of blue blood.
Blue Collar
Meaning: Working-class.
Example: He has a blue-collar job at the factory.
Blue Ribbon
Meaning: First place or superior quality.
Example: She won the blue ribbon at the science fair.
Blue in the Face
Meaning: Extremely annoyed.
Example: I argued until I was blue in the face.
Into the Wild Blue Yonder
Meaning: Into the unknown.
Example: They set off into the wild blue yonder on their adventure.
Blue Sky Thinking
Meaning: Creative thinking.
Example: We need some blue sky thinking for this project.
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Meaning: Between two difficult choices.
Example: He was between the devil and the deep blue sea with that decision.
Blue Book
Meaning: Official directory or standard.
Example: Check the blue book for guidelines.
Funny Idioms for Blue
Scream Blue Murder
Meaning: Shout loudly.
Example: The baby screamed blue murder when hungry.
Sing the Blues
Meaning: Complain or express sadness.
Example: He’s always singing the blues about his job.
Blue Funk
Meaning: Nervous or depressed.
Example: He was in a blue funk before the exam.
Blue Pencil
Meaning: Censor or edit.
Example: The editor blue penciled the controversial parts of the article.
Idioms for Blue and Orange
Blue and Gold
Meaning: Something valuable and royal.
Example: The team’s colors are blue and gold, symbolizing their prestige.
Blue Streak
Meaning: Talk continuously.
Example: She talked a blue streak about her trip to Paris.
Orange You Glad
Meaning: Pun to make someone laugh.
Example: Orange you glad I didn’t say banana?
Blue Moon and Orange Sun
Meaning: Rare and beautiful occurrence.
Example: A blue moon and orange sun together create a magical sight.
1. Why do we say “feeling blue” when someone is sad?
“Feeling blue” is a phrase that connects the color blue with sadness. Historically, blue has been associated with melancholy and gloom in many cultures. The connection can be traced back to the use of blue in literature and art to symbolize somber moods.
2. How often does “once in a blue moon” occur?
“Once in a blue moon” refers to something that happens very rarely. A blue moon, which is the occurrence of a second full moon within a single calendar month, happens about once every two to three years, making it a perfect metaphor for rare events.
3. What does “out of the blue” mean and how is it used?
“Out of the blue” means something happened unexpectedly. It is used to describe surprises or unforeseen events. For example, “The job offer came out of the blue.”
