1. out of the blue
Meaning: suddenly; unexpectedly
Example 1
A: Congratulations on getting a great TOEIC score!
B: Thanks, but the result was a bit out of the blue. I didn’t do any studying before the test!
2. in the red
Meaning: in debt
Example 2
A: How’s your new business going?
B: Not bad thanks. We are still in the red, but by the end of the year we should be in the black!
A: That’s good news I guess. So many businesses are in the red at the moment because of the bad economy. Good luck!
Example 3
A: Congratulations! I heard you won some money on the lottery!
B: Yes. The news came completely out of the blue. I forgot that I’d bought a ticket!
A: Lucky you! So what are you going to do with your money?
B: Well, first I’m going to pay off my credit cards because they are in the red, then I’m going to go on holiday for a few weeks.
