Colour Based Idioms & Phrases
Out of the blue: Completely unexpected
My old roommate called me out of the blue.
Feeling blue: Feeling sad or unhappy
She was feeling blue after he told her that he was leaving.
Be in the pink: Feeling happy or in very good health/mood
The students looked in the pink after their holiday.
Be in the red: In financial danger/in debt
The company has been in the red for the last three quarters.
Be in the black: To be successful or profitable
This year our business is in the black.
To see red: To become very angry
People who litter on the road make me see red.
Blue eyed boy or girl: Someone’s favourite, especially someone in authority
Everyone knows Anna is the boss’s blue-eyed girl.
Once in a blue moon: Very rarely
After marriage, Peter only comes out for party once in a blue moon.
To beat black and blue: Being hit, injured, or beat mercilessly
She was beaten black and blue by her teacher for not completing the tasks.
In black and white: Written communication
They demanded the agreement in black and white.
Blue collar workers: Helpers or unskilled workers
COVID-19 has badly affected blue collar workers across the globe.
White collar workers: Skilled workers in offices
Companies have laid off many white collar workers due to recession.
Red letter day: A very important or memorable day
The day I got admission in IIM Ahmadabad was a red-letter day for me.
Paint the town red: To celebrate by drinking, dancing and laughing
It is my birthday! Let’s paint the town red tonight.
Red carpet welcome: To welcome with great respect
The Prime Minister was given the red carpet welcome.
Red handed: To catch/find someone in the act of doing something illegal
Police caught the burglars red handed.
Red herring: That distract from the main issue
The Chief Minister’s reference to unemployment was a red herring.
Grey area: Lack of clarity; where rules are not know
Sometimes a contractual term lies in a grey area between the two.
Grey market: An unofficial system of buying and selling products
A store near my house sells designer clothes sourced from the grey market.
Grey matter: A person’s intelligence
If you use your grey matter, you can solve this problem.
Be green: To be very young, immature, or inexperienced
The new interns are pretty green, but they are quick learners.
Green light: To get/give permission for something to do
The students were given green light to go forward with the project.
Green thumb/fingers: Skill or ability at growing plants
Her garden is very beautiful because she has a green thumb.
White wash: Cover up the truth
It seems like police are whitewashing the suspect’s death.
Lily white: Innocent / pure; with no bad qualities
All businessmen are not lily white.
White magic: Magic used to do good things
Can you do some white magic to learn English faster?
Black magic: Magic used to do bad things
Black magic harms people but white magic helps them.
White elephant: Useless but expensive things
The stadium has become a white elephant after the championship.
White lie: A lie that is told, not to upset anyone
The doctor told him a white lie.
White hope: One who is expected to bring honour, glory, etc.
The Nano car was once the great white hope of TATA motors.
Purple Heart: Bravery/award
He received a purple heart in the World War II.
Be in brown study: Be lost in imagination
Newton was always in a brown study.
Yellow press: Newspapers publishing sensational news
She was scolded by her parents for reading the yellow press.
In the limelight: Public attention and interest
He always tried to avoid the limelight.
Off colour: Not in usual form; slightly ill
He is feeling a bit off-colour today.
Black sheep: One who has done something bad that brings shame to family
Tom is a black sheep of his family.
Thank you for reading it complete.
Lovers or new couples are always in brown study.
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