寝ね耳みみに水みず

expression, noun

bolt from the blue; complete surprise

Idiomatic expression for sudden, shocking news or an unexpected event that catches one off guard, like water splashed into a sleeping ear.

• その知しらせは寝ね耳みみに水みずだった。

  The news came as a bolt from the blue.

• 彼かれの突とつ然ぜんの辞じ職しょくは、社しゃ員いんにとって寝ね耳みみに水みずだった。

  His sudden resignation was a complete surprise to the employees.