List of Color Idioms in English

Are you tired of using the same old phrases to express yourself? Are you looking for a way to add some color to your language? Look no further than color idioms! These expressions use colors to convey a variety of meanings, from jealousy to opportunity. By incorporating them into your vocabulary, you can spice up your conversations and make a lasting impression on those around you.

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Common Color Idioms

Color Idioms – Created by Englishstudyonline

Color idioms are a fun way to spice up your English language skills. In this section, we will explore some of the most common color idioms that you can use in your everyday conversations.

Red Idioms

Red is often associated with strong emotions, such as anger, passion, and excitement. Here are some common red idioms:

Caught red-handed: caught in the act of doing something wrong
Red tape: bureaucratic procedures that cause delay
In the red: having financial losses
Red flag: a warning sign

Blue Idioms

Blue is often associated with sadness or feeling down. Here are some common blue idioms:

Feeling blue: feeling sad or depressed
Out of the blue: unexpected or sudden
Blue blood: a person of noble birth or high social status

Green Idioms

Green is often associated with nature, growth, and envy. Here are some common green idioms:

Green with envy: feeling jealous or envious
Green thumb: a talent for gardening

Yellow Idioms

Yellow is often associated with happiness, optimism, and cowardice. Here are some common yellow idioms:

Yellow-bellied: cowardly or easily scared
Mellow yellow: a relaxed or easy-going attitude

Black Idioms

Black is often associated with darkness, negativity, and mystery. Here are some common black idioms:

Black sheep: a person who is the odd one out in a family or group
Black market: illegal trade of goods or services
Black and white: clear and definite

White Idioms

White is often associated with purity, innocence, and peace. Here are some common white idioms:

White lie: a small lie that is told to avoid hurting someone’s feelings
White elephant: a possession that is unwanted or difficult to maintain

Incorporating color idioms into your everyday conversations can make your language skills more colorful and expressive. Try using some of these idioms in your next conversation and see how they can enhance your communication.

Color Idioms List with Meaning & Examples

To see red

Meaning: Very angry
Example: Sarah was seeing red when her computer suddenly crashed.

We probably use red to describe anger because people’s faces turn red when they are angry. Imagine you became so angry your eyes became red, too. Then you might begin to “see red.”

Green with envy

Meaning: Wanting something someone else has
Example: When John brought home his expensive car, his neighbor Tom was green with envy.

I’m not sure why people are green when they are envious, but this is a very common saying.

To feel blue

Meaning: Sad
Example: After Julian’s boyfriend left her, she felt blue and cried all the time.

You can also “be blue.”

Yellow-bellied

Meaning: Coward, not brave
Example: He was a yellow-bellied cowboy. He always ran away from a fight.

Belly means stomach. If your belly is yellow, you are not brave. This idiom isn’t used as much nowadays as it was in the past.

Tickled pink

Meaning: Very happy
Example: David asked Mary to marry him. He was tickled pink when she said yes.

When someone is tickled, he feels very excited and happy. Perhaps your skin becomes pink when you feel happy.

Golden opportunity

Meaning: The perfect chance
Example: Instead, it is underedited and overpriced: the publishers missed a golden opportunity.

Black sheep

Meaning: A person who is a disgrace to a family or group
Example: John is the black sheep in our family. He almost ended up in jail a few times when we were younger.

Beet red