English Colour Related Collection Part 2

A Collection of English Colour-related Idioms Explained

Idioms are an essential part of any language. They add flavour to the language and make communication more interesting. Colour-related idioms are expressions that involve colours and are used to describe different situations or emotions. In this blog post, we will explore some of the common English colour-related idioms and their meanings.

In the red

When you say that someone or something is in the red, it means that they are in debt or are losing money. The expression comes from accounting, where negative amounts are usually written in red. 

For example, "The company is in the red because of the pandemic."

The opposite of being in the red is being in the black, which means that someone is making a profit.

White lie

A white lie is a harmless lie that is told to avoid hurting someone's feelings. 

For example, "I told my friend that her new dress looked nice, even though it didn't." 

The expression comes from the idea that white is associated with innocence and purity, so a white lie is seen as a harmless or innocent lie.

Green with envy

When someone is green with envy, it means they are extremely jealous. The expression comes from the idea that the colour green is associated with sickness, and envy is seen as a negative emotion. 

For example, "She was green with envy when she saw her friend's new car."

Grey market

The grey market refers to the sale of goods through unofficial channels, often at a lower price. The expression comes from the idea that the market is not black or white, but somewhere in between. 

For example, "He bought his phone from the grey market, and it was much cheaper than buying it from a store."

Black and white

When something is black and white, it is clear and straightforward. The expression comes from the idea that black and white are two contrasting colours, and things that are black and white are easy to distinguish. 

For example, "The rules of the game are black and white, and everyone knows what they are."

In conclusion, colour-related idioms are a fascinating aspect of the English language, and they can be used to express a wide range of emotions and situations. The idioms listed above are just a few examples of the many colour-related idioms that exist in the English language. 

If you want to learn more about English idioms, make sure to check out the "English Phrase Collection" on YouTube.