English chapter 5 idioms

idioms and meanings

feel blue

we feel sad and lonely

blues

the slow, sad, soulful music of the.. African-Americans

out of the blue

without warning

once in a blue moon

very rarely or hardly ever

blue collar

workers doing manual or unskilled work

(has) green finger

he/she has the natural skill of growing plant successfully

green horn/ green

someone is young and inexperienced

(give) the green light

he/she is allowed by someone in authority to go ahead with a certain project or programme.

greengrocer

a person or a shopkeeper that sells fruit and vegetables

the greenhouse effect

the warming of the earth’s surface as a result of the trapping long-wave radiation by carbon dioxide, etc…

someone is pink

he or she had mild left-wing views and therefore is a socialist.

in the pink

in the best health

a pinkie

your little finger

someone is red

he/she is a true leftist, a communist

in the red(business company)

the company is losing money and is in debt.

a red card (football)

it means you sent off the pitch for violating one of the rules of the game.

to paint the town red

to go to a lot of different bars, clubs, etc. to enjoy oneself in lively, and often drunken way.

roll out the red carpet

for VIP

(caught) red-handed

he/she is caught in the act of committing a crime.

red hot music

music that is loud and quick in rhythm.

a red letter day

an important and special day

red tape

unnecessary rules and regulations which result in delay

someone is yellow

he/she has no courage; he/s he is cowardly

a yellow card (football)

a warning for having broken a rule

a yellow ribbon

a symbol in the USA for those returning home after having undergone danger

in the black (company)

the company has more money than it owes

black sheep (of the family)

he/she notoriously stands out from the rest of the family

black and blue

bruise and beaten

black and white

straightforward; very clear

black out

temporarily lose consciousness

black market

a place where goods are illegally bought and sold for a profit

into the blue

disappear; out of sight

blue blood

someone from a noble, aristocratic of wealthy family

look green

looking sick

green with envy

jealous

grey matter

intelligence; power of thoughts

out of the red

out of debt

red-eye

a journey that leaves late at night and arrives early in the morning

white elephant

a useless possession, something that is of no use

a white lie

a harmless lie

white-collar

relating to the work done or those who work in an office or other professional environment

with flying colours

compete something with great distinction, and excellent results