out of nowhere

Idioms  

1. Suddenly, unexpectedly, as in That anonymous letter turned up out of nowhere. It is often put as come out of nowhere, as in Their team came out of nowhere and won the state championship. This term uses out of in the sense of “from,” and nowhere in the sense of “an unknown place.” For a synonym, see out of a clear blue sky.

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Example Sentences

But if you were following the band, you’ll remember how it seemed to arrive out of nowhere, at the end of two years of touring, including the 1996 Lollapalooza outing.

From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026

The rise in volatility didn’t come out of nowhere.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

The first televised event, held at the Connaught Hotel in London, appeared to come out of nowhere - just seven weeks after her pitch was accepted.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

"The methylation seemingly appeared out of nowhere," says Feinberg.

From Science Daily • Jun. 1, 2026

I will remember forever some of what happened when a balloon that had caught under a bush jiggled loose and floated up into her nose out of nowhere.

From This Side of Wild by Gary Paulsen