next thing one knows

Alternative forms

 * the next thing one knows

Phrase

 * 1)  suddenly, out of the blue.
 * 2) * 2007 September 28, Graham Linehan, , Season 2, Episode 6:
 * Roy: You remember the woman from last night? She seemed lovely, right? Moss: She was a delight. Roy: Yeah. We get outside, there's a group of tramps, two of whom she knows by name. She starts screaming at them, "You owe me money! You owe me money!" She thinks that the tramps owe her money. Next thing I know, it all kicks off. I'm running for my life. It was a horrible evening, a really horrible evening, and she's a really horrible woman. Moss: Right. But you slept with her? Roy: Yeah.
 * 1) * 2007 September 28, Graham Linehan, , Season 2, Episode 6:
 * Roy: You remember the woman from last night? She seemed lovely, right? Moss: She was a delight. Roy: Yeah. We get outside, there's a group of tramps, two of whom she knows by name. She starts screaming at them, "You owe me money! You owe me money!" She thinks that the tramps owe her money. Next thing I know, it all kicks off. I'm running for my life. It was a horrible evening, a really horrible evening, and she's a really horrible woman. Moss: Right. But you slept with her? Roy: Yeah.

Usage notes

 * Most commonly as next thing you know.