English Idioms Related to Colours
English Idioms Related to Colours :
show one’s true colours : When a person shows their true colours, their behaviour reveals their real nature and shows their qualities and/or weaknesses.
For example : In times of crisis people show their true colours.
golden handcuffs : The term golden handcuffs refers to a large sum of money or a generous financial arrangement granted to an executive as an incentive to stay in their job or to ensure long-term cooperation after their departure.
golden handshake : A golden handshake is a generous sum of money given to a person when they leave a company or retire (sometimes given to encourage early retirement).
golden opportunity : A golden opportunity is a favourable time or excellent occasion which should not be missed.
golden fingers : To have green fingers means to be good at gardening.
green light : If you give or get the green light, you give or get a signal or permission to do something.
For example : We are ready to launch the campaign as soon as we get the green light.
green with envy : Someone who is green with envy is a person who is very envious.
grey area : To refer to something as a grey area means that it is not clear or easy to define and is therefore difficult to deal with.
For example : The law concerning email is still a grey area in some countries.
grey matter : Grey matter refers to the brain or the grey colour of brain tissue.
grey existence : To have a grey existence is to lead a dull, monotonous life.
in the pink of health : If you are in the pink of health, you are in excellent physical condition or extremely healthy.
For example : Chitra looked in the pink of health after her holidays.
tickled pink : To say that someone is tickled pink means that they are extremely amused or pleased.
to see red : A person who sees red becomes very angry or annoyed.
to be in the red : If a person or organisation is in the red, they owe money or have a negative account.
paint the town red : If you paint the town red, you go out and enjoy a lively evening in bars, night-clubs, etc.
For example : To celebrate the victory, the team’s supporters painted the town red.
roll out the red carpet : To roll out the red carpet means to give special treatment to an important or honoured visitor.
like a red flag to a bull : To say that a statement or action is like a red flag to a bull means that it is sure to make someone very angry or upset.
For example : Don’t mention Rishi’s promotion to Mridul. It would be like a red flag to a bull!
catch someone red-handed : If a person is caught red-handed, they are caught while they are doing something wrong or illegal.
red herring : A red herring refers to a fact or argument introduced into a discussion which draws attention away from the main point.
For example : His reference to the class picnic is a red herring. Actually, he wants us to take the test right now.
see red : If someone sees red, they suddenly become very angry or annoyed about something.
For example : Discrimination of any kind makes me see red!
red tape : The term red tape refers to official rules and paperwork that prevent things from being done quickly.
For example : If there wasn’t so much red tape, the company would be up and running already.
silver lining : A silver lining refers to the good or pleasant side-effects of an unpleasant situation. Every cloud has a silver lining is a proverb which means that there is a positive or hopeful side to every unpleasant situation.
silver spoon : To say that someone was born with a silver spoon in their mouth means that their family is very rich and privileged.
white Christmas : A white Christmas is when it snows at Christmas and the ground is white.
For example : We haven’t had a white Christmas in twenty years.
white as a ghost : A person who is as white as a ghost looks very pale and frightened.
white as a sheet : A person who is as white as a sheet looks very pale and frightened.
English Idioms Related to Colours
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