15 colourful idioms in English
A horse of a different colour
Meaning: a situation that is different to what you first thought it was.
Example: I thought that she was his sister, but she turned out to be his girlfriend. That’s a horse of a different colour.
With flying colours
Meaning: with distinction, very successfully.
Example: Paul passed that test with flying colours.
Show true colours
Meaning: to show your true self or attitude.
Example: She really showed her true colours, when she started screaming at Stephen at the restaurant.
Black sheep
Meaning: the odd one out, someone who is considered a bad person in a group.
Example: Celia is the black sheep of the class. She tries to cheat on every test.
Catch someone red-handed
Meaning: to catch someone in the act of doing something that is wrong.
Example: Bob was trying to look through Erin’s phone, but she caught him red-handed.
Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Rarely, seldom.
Example: Do you go out a lot? Once in a blue moon.
Out of the blue
Meaning: To occur unexpectedly.
Example: I haven’t seen her in years and last week I bumped into her out of the blue.
Have the blues
Meaning: feel sad or depressed.
Example: I always have the blues when summer ends.
In the dark
Meaning: to be unaware of something.
Example: I’m always in the dark about family plans. I hate that.
The green light
Meaning: permission.
Example: My boss gave be the green light to continue with the project.
Have a green thumb
Meaning: to be skilled in gardening.
Example: I wish I had a green thumb like my mom. Her garden looks beautiful.
Red eye
Meaning: a flight that takes off after midnight.
Example: Sue had to catch the red eye in order to be in San Francisco in the morning.
See red
Meaning: to be angry
Example: After my fight with Michael, I see red every time I run into him.
White lie
Meaning: a harmless lie, told to be polite or avoid hurting someone’s feeling.
Example: At times it’s better to tell a white lie rather than make someone sad.
Grey area
Meaning: when there is no obvious right or wrong.
Example: Downloading movies from the internet is still a grey area.
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