Learning English idioms can be fun and helpful, especially when they are based on colours. In this article, we will learn some popular colour idioms, their meanings, and how to use them in real sentences.
What Are Colour Idioms?
Colour idioms are special phrases that use colour words like red, blue, black, etc. But they don’t really talk about colours.
They have hidden or non-literal meanings.
Example: “Feel blue” means feel sad, not turning blue in colour.
Why Use Colour Idioms?
➡️ They make your English more creative and colorful.
➡️ They help you sound like a native speaker.
➡️ They are useful in conversation, writing, and even in exams.
Common Colour Idioms with Meanings and Examples
Here is a helpful table to understand colour idioms quickly:
| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Feel blue | Feel sad | She felt blue after the test. |
| Green with envy | Very jealous | He was green with envy when I got the prize. |
| Caught red-handed | Caught doing something wrong | The boy was caught red-handed stealing a pen. |
| Black sheep | A person who is different (in bad way) | He is the black sheep of the family. |
| White lie | A small lie to avoid hurting someone | She told a white lie to make him happy. |
| See red | Get very angry | I saw red when they broke my phone. |
| Out of the blue | Suddenly or unexpectedly | She came back out of the blue. |
| Golden opportunity | A great chance | This is a golden opportunity for your career. |
| Grey area | Not clear or not sure | That rule is a grey area in the law. |
| Tickled pink | Very happy | I was tickled pink by your kind words. |
Read More: Synonyms of Difficult Words
10 Colour Idioms with Meanings
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Red tape – Too many rules or paperwork
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Blackout – Loss of electricity or memory
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Yellow-bellied – Very coward or scared
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Green light – Permission to go ahead
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Blue in the face – Try hard but fail
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Black and white – Clear and simple
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White as a sheet – Look very pale or scared
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Paint the town red – Go out and have fun
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In the red – In debt or losing money
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Show true colours – Reveal your real self
Practice Sentences for Speaking and Writing
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After hearing the news, she was green with envy.
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Don’t lie. I saw you red-handed.
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We had a golden opportunity, but we missed it.
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He turned white as a sheet when he saw the ghost.
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Let’s paint the town red tonight after exams!
FAQs About Colour Idioms
Q1: Are colour idioms common in daily English?
A: Yes! Native speakers use them all the time.
Q2: Can beginners use colour idioms?
A: Of course! Start with easy ones like “feel blue” or “black sheep.”
Q3: Should I use them in formal writing?
A: Use them mostly in informal or creative writing. In formal writing, avoid too many idioms.
Colour idioms make your English more expressive and natural. Start using these idioms in your everyday talk or writing. They are easy to remember and fun to learn.
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