Colour Idioms in English
Giving YOU the chance to SPEAK with natural colour idioms and expressions.
Useful Colour Idioms in English
I like colour, and I like colourful things. I’d rather wear something bright than something dull and grey. Take a look around the room you’re in now – how many colours can you see? Colours are everywhere, and they’re all over the English language too. Below you’ll find 12 really useful words, idioms, and expressions that contain a colour. Start using them in your English and you’ll sound much more natural.
12 Colour Idioms to Start Using
A GREY area
A grey area is a situation that is not clear. The rules or information are confusing.
Example: We don’t know exactly how much the rent is. It’s a grey area and we need to find out more before we can confirm.
Once in a BLUE moon
If something happens once in a blue moon, it happens very rarely – almost never.
Example: I go to the cinema once in a blue moon. I actually can’t remember the last time I was there.
RED tape
Red tape is all the official rules, forms, and procedures you have to follow before something can be done.
Example: Starting a business here isn’t easy because there’s so much red tape.
To blacklist someone
To blacklist someone means to put them on a list so they are not allowed to use a service or join something again.
Example: The company blacklisted me, so I can’t buy anything from them anymore.
To be GREEN
If someone is green, they are inexperienced and new to something.
Example: He’s going to make mistakes. He’s green, it’s expected.
A white lie
A white lie is a small, not-very-serious lie, usually to avoid hurting someone’s feelings.
Example: Even if you don’t like her dress, say you do. It’s just a white lie and it will make her feel better.
GOLDEN boy
The golden boy is the very successful and popular person in a group, team, or company.
Example: This is John, he’s the golden boy of the office. Every month he exceeds his targets.
To blackmail someone
To blackmail someone means you have information (usually something bad) about them and you threaten to show it unless they give you money or do something for you.
Example: The only reason she did it was because she was being blackmailed by her boss.
Out of the BLUE
When something happens out of the blue, it is completely unexpected.
Example: I got an email out of the blue from my old school mate. They were thinking about organising a class reunion.
To be in the RED
If you’re in the red, you owe money, especially when your bank account is below zero.
Example: I can’t afford to buy it this month. I’m in the red. Maybe next month when I get out.
Caught RED-handed
If someone is caught red-handed, they are seen in the act of doing something wrong.
Example: Her son was caught red-handed stealing cola from the supermarket. She was very embarrassed.
To be black and BLUE
If you’re black and blue, your body is covered in bruises. We can also use it for damaged fruit.
Example: You should have seen his back after he fell off his bike – it was black and blue.
Discussion Questions
- Is there any grey area in your work or your country’s laws?
- What do you do once in a blue moon?
- Have you ever had problems with red tape?
- Do you know anyone who is the golden boy or “golden girl” of their office?
- Has anything happened to you out of the blue this year?
- Have you ever been in the red with your bank account?
- Can you remember a time when someone was caught red-handed?