The color blue is often seen all around us—in the sky, the ocean, and our clothes. In American English, blue is more than just a color. It can show feelings, moods, and even ideas. That’s why people use special phrases called idioms that include the word “blue.” These idioms help explain different feelings or situations in a fun and easy way.
In this article, you’ll learn some popular idioms about blue that many people in the USA use in everyday life. Some show sadness, others show calm or honesty. You’ll also see how these phrases are used in real conversations, especially in the United States. This makes it easier to understand what someone really means when they say something like “feeling blue.”
Idioms About Blue
1. Feeling blue
Meaning: Feeling sad
Example Sentence:
– Sarah was feeling blue after her dog ran away.
– I feel blue when I miss my grandma.
Other ways to say: Feeling down, sad
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase may come from old ships that flew blue flags when a crew member died.
Usage: Used when someone is feeling sad or unhappy.
2. Out of the blue
Meaning: Something happens suddenly or unexpectedly
Example Sentence:
– Out of the blue, it started snowing in May.
– He called me out of the blue after five years.
Other ways to say: Suddenly, without warning
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of a clear blue sky with no signs of change.
Usage: Used when something surprises you.
3. Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Very rarely
Example Sentence:
– We eat out once in a blue moon.
– My uncle visits once in a blue moon.
Other ways to say: Hardly ever, rarely
Fun Fact/Origin: A “blue moon” is a second full moon in a single month, which doesn’t happen often.
Usage: Used to talk about something that doesn’t happen often.
4. Blue blood
Meaning: Belonging to a rich or royal family
Example Sentence:
– People said she had blue blood because her family was wealthy.
– He acts like blue blood runs through his veins.
Other ways to say: From a rich family, high status
Fun Fact/Origin: In old Europe, pale skin showed blue veins, which rich people had because they didn’t work outside.
Usage: Used when talking about rich or royal people.
5. True blue
Meaning: Very loyal or faithful
Example Sentence:
– She’s a true blue friend—always there when I need her.
– My dog is true blue and never leaves my side.
Other ways to say: Loyal, trustworthy
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in politics and sports to mean someone who always sticks to their team or side.
Usage: Used to describe someone who is always faithful.
6. Blue ribbon
Meaning: The best or first place
Example Sentence:
– He won a blue ribbon at the science fair.
– Her cookies got the blue ribbon at the fair.
Other ways to say: First prize, top choice
Fun Fact/Origin: Blue ribbons are often given as awards in contests and fairs in the USA.
Usage: Used when someone or something is the best.
7. Blue-collar worker
Meaning: A person who does physical work
Example Sentence:
– My dad is a blue-collar worker at the factory.
– Many blue-collar workers built the new school.
Other ways to say: Laborer, worker
Fun Fact/Origin: Workers wore blue shirts to hide dirt; white-collar jobs meant office work.
Usage: Used when talking about jobs that use hands and tools.
8. Into the blue
Meaning: Going into the unknown
Example Sentence:
– The hikers walked into the blue, not knowing what was ahead.
– She drove into the blue without a map.
Other ways to say: Into the unknown, taking a chance
Fun Fact/Origin: “Blue” here means the open sky or sea.
Usage: Used when someone starts something uncertain or new.
9. Blue in the face
Meaning: Trying very hard but getting no results
Example Sentence:
– I told him to clean his room until I was blue in the face.
– You can argue until you’re blue in the face—it won’t help.
Other ways to say: Talk forever, argue a lot
Fun Fact/Origin: Talking too long may make your face red or blue from breathing hard.
Usage: Used when someone tries too hard to change something.
10. Blue streak
Meaning: Talking fast or nonstop
Example Sentence:
– She talked a blue streak after getting home from school.
– He can go on a blue streak when excited.
Other ways to say: Talk a lot, nonstop talking
Fun Fact/Origin: “Blue streak” comes from lightning or something fast-moving.
Usage: Used when someone talks quickly or nonstop.
11. Black and blue
Meaning: Bruised from being hit
Example Sentence:
– He came home black and blue after falling off his bike.
– My leg was black and blue from soccer practice.
Other ways to say: Bruised, banged up
Fun Fact/Origin: A bruise often turns blue or black on the skin.
Usage: Used to describe someone who has been physically hurt.
12. Blue Monday
Meaning: A day that feels sad or slow, usually Monday
Example Sentence:
– It’s another blue Monday after a fun weekend.
– I don’t like blue Mondays—they’re too quiet.
Other ways to say: Sad Monday, boring start
Fun Fact/Origin: People often feel down returning to work or school after the weekend.
Usage: Used when Monday feels slow or gloomy.
13. Blue plate special
Meaning: A low-cost meal at a diner
Example Sentence:
– I ordered the blue plate special at the diner.
– The blue plate special came with meatloaf and mashed potatoes.
Other ways to say: Daily special, meal deal
Fun Fact/Origin: In old diners, these meals were served on blue plates.
Usage: Used in restaurants to offer simple meals at good prices.
14. Between the devil and the deep blue sea
Meaning: Stuck between two bad choices
Example Sentence:
– I was caught between the devil and the deep blue sea—skip homework or miss the game.
– She felt stuck between two bad friends.
Other ways to say: Caught in a hard spot, no good option
Fun Fact/Origin: This saying comes from sailors stuck between danger and the ocean.
Usage: Used when someone must choose between two tough things.
15. Blue law
Meaning: A rule that limits activities on Sundays
Example Sentence:
– Because of blue laws, the store was closed on Sunday.
– Some towns still follow old blue laws.
Other ways to say: Sunday law, religious rule
Fun Fact/Origin: These laws started in the USA to keep Sundays quiet for church.
Usage: Used when talking about rules that affect Sunday behavior.
16. Like a bolt from the blue
Meaning: A sudden surprise
Example Sentence:
– The fire alarm rang like a bolt from the blue.
– His news hit me like a bolt from the blue.
Other ways to say: Out of nowhere, sudden
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from lightning appearing from a clear sky.
Usage: Used for surprises, good or bad.
17. Blue with cold
Meaning: Very cold, almost frozen
Example Sentence:
– She was blue with cold after playing outside.
– His hands were blue with cold.
Other ways to say: Freezing, shivering
Fun Fact/Origin: Skin can turn blue when too cold because of poor blood flow.
Usage: Used when someone is really cold.
18. Scream blue murder
Meaning: To yell or complain loudly
Example Sentence:
– The baby screamed blue murder during the shot.
– He screamed blue murder when he lost his phone.
Other ways to say: Yell, shout loudly
Fun Fact/Origin: “Blue murder” means something really bad is happening.
Usage: Used when someone reacts loudly to pain or anger.
19. Talk a blue streak
Meaning: Talk a lot and very fast
Example Sentence:
– She talked a blue streak after camp.
– He talks a blue streak when excited.
Other ways to say: Chat nonstop, talk fast
Fun Fact/Origin: Like blue lightning—quick and constant.
Usage: Used when someone can’t stop talking.
20. Blue-eyed boy
Meaning: Someone who is favored or liked a lot
Example Sentence:
– He’s the teacher’s blue-eyed boy.
– The coach’s blue-eyed boy always gets picked first.
Other ways to say: Favorite, pet
Fun Fact/Origin: Often means someone is treated better than others.
Usage: Used to talk about someone getting special treatment.
21. Into the wide blue yonder
Meaning: Going far away into the sky or unknown
Example Sentence:
– The plane flew into the wide blue yonder.
– He drove off into the wide blue yonder.
Other ways to say: Into the distance, far away
Fun Fact/Origin: The “wide blue yonder” means the sky or open space.
Usage: Used when someone travels to a far or unknown place.
22. Blue as the sky
Meaning: Very honest or pure
Example Sentence:
– Her heart is as blue as the sky—so kind and honest.
– That baby has eyes blue as the sky.
Other ways to say: Pure, innocent
Fun Fact/Origin: Clear skies are often seen as honest and calm.
Usage: Used to describe honesty or beauty.
23. Blue pencil
Meaning: To edit or remove content
Example Sentence:
– The teacher blue-penciled some lines in my story.
– Editors often blue-pencil bad language.
Other ways to say: Edit, cut out
Fun Fact/Origin: Editors used blue pencils to mark what should be changed.
Usage: Used when something is edited or censored.
24. Blue-eyed soul
Meaning: Soul music sung by white artists
Example Sentence:
– That singer’s blue-eyed soul sounds amazing.
– Many artists in the USA sing blue-eyed soul.
Other ways to say: Soul-style pop
Fun Fact/Origin: This music mixes soul with pop and became popular in the U.S.
Usage: Used when talking about music style.
25. Blue funk
Meaning: A deep sadness or panic
Example Sentence:
– He’s in a blue funk after failing the test.
– She fell into a blue funk when her plans changed.
Other ways to say: Down mood, panic
Fun Fact/Origin: “Funk” means a sad or scared feeling.
Usage: Used when someone is very upset or nervous.
26. Blue-eyed girl
Meaning: A girl who is favored by someone
Example Sentence:
– She’s the blue-eyed girl at work.
– That singer is the blue-eyed girl of the fans.
Other ways to say: Favorite, star
Fun Fact/Origin: Like “blue-eyed boy,” it means someone gets special treatment.
Usage: Used when a girl is treated very well or liked a lot.
27. Blue sky thinking
Meaning: Creative or wild ideas
Example Sentence:
– The team did blue sky thinking to design the toy.
– His blue sky idea could change how we shop.
Other ways to say: Creative thinking, big ideas
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from imagining anything in an open blue sky.
Usage: Used when thinking without limits.
28. Beyond the blue
Meaning: Heaven or the unknown after death
Example Sentence:
– They said Grandpa went beyond the blue.
– The story ends with the hero going beyond the blue.
Other ways to say: Heaven, afterlife
Fun Fact/Origin: Many old songs and books use “beyond the blue” to mean heaven.
Usage: Used in spiritual or dreamy ways.
29. Blue-eyed monster
Meaning: Jealousy
Example Sentence:
– He turned into a blue-eyed monster when he saw her new phone.
– Don’t let the blue-eyed monster ruin your day.
Other ways to say: Jealousy, envy
Fun Fact/Origin: A twist on “green-eyed monster” used in Shakespeare.
Usage: Used when someone feels jealous.
30. Blue language
Meaning: Bad or rude words
Example Sentence:
– He used blue language after stubbing his toe.
– No blue language in the classroom, please.
Other ways to say: Swearing, cursing
Fun Fact/Origin: “Blue” has been used to mean dirty or adult since the 1800s.
Usage: Used when talking about rude or adult words.
31. Blue moment
Meaning: A short time of sadness
Example Sentence:
– I had a blue moment after saying goodbye to my friend.
– She felt a blue moment during the movie.
Other ways to say: Sad time, low mood
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the feeling of “blue” meaning down or gloomy.
Usage: Used when someone feels sad for a short time.
32. Blue wall of silence
Meaning: Police officers not reporting each other’s bad actions
Example Sentence:
– The movie showed the blue wall of silence in a big city.
– Some people say the blue wall of silence makes things unfair.
Other ways to say: Keeping quiet, staying silent
Fun Fact/Origin: “Blue” refers to police uniforms; this phrase is often used in U.S. news.
Usage: Used when people in a group stay silent to protect each other.
33. Blue devil
Meaning: Strong sadness or depression
Example Sentence:
– He fought off the blue devil by spending time outside.
– The blue devil made her stay in bed all weekend.
Other ways to say: Depression, deep sadness
Fun Fact/Origin: A very old American phrase for bad moods or sadness.
Usage: Used when someone feels very down or gloomy.
34. Talk until you’re blue
Meaning: Talk too much without anyone listening
Example Sentence:
– You can talk until you’re blue, but he won’t change his mind.
– I talked until I was blue, but no one helped.
Other ways to say: Talk with no result, waste your words
Fun Fact/Origin: Similar to “blue in the face,” tied to breathlessness from over-talking.
Usage: Used when someone speaks a lot but nothing happens.
35. Blue collar crime
Meaning: Crimes like theft done by working-class people
Example Sentence:
– The movie showed a blue collar crime at the store.
– Blue collar crime is often about money or property.
Other ways to say: Street crime, small crime
Fun Fact/Origin: “Blue collar” refers to workers; this type of crime differs from “white collar.”
Usage: Used in news or law to talk about certain crimes.
36. Blue-eyed innocence
Meaning: Someone who looks innocent but may not be
Example Sentence:
– Don’t fall for his blue-eyed innocence—he knew what he was doing.
– Her blue-eyed innocence fooled everyone.
Other ways to say: Fake innocence, innocent look
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea that blue eyes seem honest or pure.
Usage: Used when someone looks innocent but might not be.
37. Blue horizon
Meaning: The future or what’s coming
Example Sentence:
– A bright blue horizon waits after graduation.
– They looked ahead to a blue horizon full of hope.
Other ways to say: Future, what’s ahead
Fun Fact/Origin: “Horizon” means far away in the sky, often shown in art or books.
Usage: Used to talk about the future with hope or mystery.
38. Blue daze
Meaning: Feeling dreamy or spaced out
Example Sentence:
– She stared out the window in a blue daze.
– He walked through the hall in a blue daze, not hearing a thing.
Other ways to say: Zoning out, daydreaming
Fun Fact/Origin: “Daze” means confused or dreamy; blue adds a quiet feeling.
Usage: Used when someone seems lost in thought or sad.
39. Blue chip
Meaning: High value or top quality
Example Sentence:
– That company is a blue chip—it always does well.
– He bought blue chip stocks for safety.
Other ways to say: Top choice, best
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from poker chips; blue chips have the highest value.
Usage: Used in business or sports to mean high value or top rank.
40. Blue tint
Meaning: A slight sadness in a situation
Example Sentence:
– Even the happy story had a blue tint.
– The photo had a blue tint that made it feel calm.
Other ways to say: A hint of sadness, soft mood
Fun Fact/Origin: Tint means a small color tone—blue often feels sad or calm.
Usage: Used when something has a small amount of sadness or quiet mood.
Quiz: Idioms About Blue
Instructions: Choose the correct meaning of each idiom. Each question has one right answer. These idioms are common in the USA and show feelings or situations using the word blue.
Question Key
1. What does “feeling blue” mean?
A) Being excited
B) Being sad
C) Being in love
2. What does “out of the blue” mean?
A) Something happens suddenly
B) Something happens every day
C) Something is planned
3. If something happens “once in a blue moon,” it means:
A) It happens every day
B) It happens rarely
C) It happens weekly
4. What does “blue-collar worker” refer to?
A) Someone who wears blue shirts
B) Someone who does office work
C) Someone who does physical work
5. What does it mean if someone is “blue in the face”?
A) They are very happy
B) They have been trying hard without success
C) They are cold
6. What is a “blue ribbon”?
A) A type of snack
B) An average prize
C) The best prize or award
7. What does “scream blue murder” mean?
A) To sing softly
B) To yell very loudly
C) To laugh a lot
8. If someone “talks a blue streak,” what are they doing?
A) Talking a lot and fast
B) Painting something blue
C) Whispering quietly
9. What does “blue plate special” mean?
A) A plate you get for winning a game
B) A special low-cost meal
C) A meal with blueberries
10. If someone is “between the devil and the deep blue sea,” they are:
A) At the beach
B) Choosing between two easy things
C) Stuck between two hard choices
11. What does “blue wall of silence” mean?
A) A wall painted blue
B) Police officers not telling on each other
C) A quiet street
12. What does “blue sky thinking” mean?
A) Thinking with the clouds
B) Creative and free ideas
C) Looking at the weather
13. What does “talk until you’re blue” mean?
A) Talk while wearing blue
B) Talk quickly
C) Talk without anyone listening
14. What does a “blue-eyed boy” mean?
A) A boy with blue eyes
B) A favorite or special person
C) A shy student
15. What does a “blue chip” mean?
A) A tasty potato snack
B) A type of toy
C) Something valuable or high quality
Answer Key
- B) Being sad
- A) Something happens suddenly
- B) It happens rarely
- C) Someone who does physical work
- B) They have been trying hard without success
- C) The best prize or award
- B) To yell very loudly
- A) Talking a lot and fast
- B) A special low-cost meal
- C) Stuck between two hard choices
- B) Police officers not telling on each other
- B) Creative and free ideas
- C) Talk without anyone listening
- B) A favorite or special person
- C) Something valuable or high quality
Wrapping Up
Idioms about blue help us say things in fun and easy ways. In the USA, people use these phrases to talk about sadness, surprise, hard work, or even favorite people. Saying “feeling blue” is quicker than saying “I’m sad.” These idioms make talking more colorful and simple.
If you hear someone say “out of the blue” or “once in a blue moon,” now you’ll know what they mean. You can even try using a few of these blue idioms in your daily life. They’re short, clear, and help others understand your feelings better.
