Idioms

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What is an idiom?

An idiom is a word or phrase that is not taken literally. 
An idiom is an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its individual words, but has a separate meaning of its own.

Colours and Emotions:

Different colours can be used to portray different emotions or moods when speaking in English. Here are a few common colour and emotion combinations:

English Idiom – Green-eyed monster.

Meaning – Jealousy or envy. This phrase is often used to describe the feeling of intense jealousy that one might experience when someone else possesses something that they desire, such as a skill, possession, or success.

The idiom originates from Shakespeare's play "Othello," where the character Iago says, "O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; it is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on."

The colour green has traditionally been associated with envy, as in the phrase green with envy. The idea of a monster suggests that jealousy can be a destructive and consuming emotion that can control a person's thoughts and actions. It's often not a positive emotion to experience or express.

Usage:

When could you use this idiom?

1. Your ex has a wonderful new partner.
2. A neighbour has just taken delivery of a brand new sports car.
3. Your colleague at work has been given a generous pay-rise and promotion.
4. A rival football team has just won a prestigious cup!

Example:

"When Augustina saw the stunning dress her sister bought for the party, she felt the green-eyed monster creeping up on her."

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Idiom – Green fingers.

Meaning – This expression is used to describe someone who is a highly skilled gardener.

This expression is British English and is common in the UK and Australia. In the US a skilled gardener would be more commonly known as a green thumb.

Idioms with the Colour Green:
1. Green – Paper money.
2. Green about the gills – To feel nauseous.
3. Green as grass – Very green.
4. Green as a gooseberry – To be very young or inexperienced.
5. Green light – To give someone permission to proceed with something.
6. Green-eyed monster – Jealousy.

Usage:
When could you use this idiom?

a) You visit an amazing garden.
b) Somebody is teaching you how to look after plants.
c) You are watching a television program about gardening.
d) A friend is an expert gardener!

Example:
"Your garden is humongous but it looks amazing! You definitely have green fingers!"

English Idiom – Tickled pink.

Meaning – Extremely pleased. To be delighted about something. Very amused or entertained by something.


More Colour Idioms:
1. Black market – Illegal trading of goods or services.
2. Caught red-handed – Caught in the act of doing something illegal or dishonest.
3. Green fingers – Somebody with green fingers (or green thumbs in the US) is good at gardening.
4. Grey area – A situation where the rules are not clear.
5. In somebody's black books – Out of favour with somebody.
6. Once in a blue moon – Very rarely.
7. Paint the town red – Go out and have a party or celebration of some sort.
8. Silver spoon – Somebody born with a silver spoon (in their mouth) is born wealthy or privileged.
9. White flag – Surrender.

Usage:
When could you use this idiom?

a) Your partner has proposed to you.
b) Somebody has done something very nice for you.
c) You won some money in a competition.
d) You got an A+ in an English exam!

Example:
"I was tickled pink when they bought me a wonderful graduation present!"

English Idiom – Feel Blue.

Meaning – To feel sad or depressed. This expression can be used to describe any unhappy feeling you may have.

Related Expressions:
1. Down in the mouth – Idiom
2. Once in a blue moon – Idiom

Usage:
When could you use this idiom?

a) You are generally feeling depressed because things are not going well.
b) It has been raining for a week and it shows no sign of stopping.
c) You have failed all of your exams and need to take them again.

Example:
"My brother is feeling blue at the moment because he has to drop out of university. It's just too expensive for him."

English Idiom – Yellow-belly.

Meaning – To be a coward or easily scared. This expression is used to describe a person who is not brave.

This expression can also be used in the form yellow-bellied.

Idioms with the Colour Yellow:
1. Code yellow – This expression is used when somebody has accidentally urinated in a place other than the toilet.
2. Yellow brick road – A path to success.
3. Yellow light – Slow down or proceed with caution.
4. Yellow streak – Similar to yellow-belly, this expression is used to describe a person with a tendency to be scared easily.

Usage:
When could you use this idiom?

a) Somebody is too frightened to perform an action.
b) You are trying to convince somebody to be brave.
c) A person is afraid to stand up and make a speech.
d) Your friend is nervous about asking somebody out on a date.

Example:
"You've liked John for ages. Stop being such a yellow-belly and ask him out for dinner!"

English Idiom – Once in a blue moon.

Meaning – Very rarely or almost never. If something happens once in a blue moon it happens very infrequently.

The blue moon in this expression has nothing to do with the colour blue. In astronomy a blue moon is the third full moon in a season of four full moons. Seasons (in astronomy) are 3 months long so a fourth moon in a season is a rare event – actually about once every 3 years.

If you are feeling blue (idiom) it means that you are feeling sad.

Example:
"I just bought myself a fancy new coffee maker. I don't know why, I only drink a cup of Joe once in a blue moon!"