Colors are everywhere around us. We see them in nature, clothes, and even our food. But did you know people in the USA also use colors to talk about feelings, actions, or situations? These special sayings are called idioms. Idioms with colors can be fun and useful to learn.
For example, someone might say they are “feeling blue” when they are sad. Or they might say they “saw red” when they got really mad. These colorful expressions help make conversations more interesting. In this article, we will look at 55 idioms about colors.
You’ll learn what they mean, how people use them in everyday life, and where some of them came from. These idioms are often used in American English, and knowing them can help you sound more natural when speaking. Let’s explore these colorful phrases.
Idioms About Colors
1. Feeling Blue
Meaning: Feeling sad or unhappy.
Example Sentence:
- She was feeling blue after her dog ran away.
- He stayed in his room because he was feeling blue about his grade.
Other ways to say: Feeling down, feeling sad
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom may come from old sea traditions. When a ship lost its captain, sailors would fly blue flags.
Usage: Used when someone is sad or quiet.
2. Green with Envy
Meaning: Very jealous or wishing for something someone else has.
Example Sentence:
- She was green with envy when her friend got a new bike.
- He looked green with envy at the shiny baseball cards.
Other ways to say: Jealous, envious
Fun Fact/Origin: The color green has long been linked to sickness and jealousy.
Usage: Used when someone wants what another person has.
3. Red-Handed
Meaning: Caught in the act of doing something wrong.
Example Sentence:
- He was caught red-handed stealing cookies.
- She was caught red-handed drawing on the wall.
Other ways to say: Caught in the act, caught doing wrong
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom comes from old times when someone had blood on their hands after hurting animals or people.
Usage: Used when someone is caught doing something they shouldn’t.
4. Tickled Pink
Meaning: Very happy or pleased.
Example Sentence:
- Grandma was tickled pink when we gave her a birthday card.
- He was tickled pink to win a free ice cream cone.
Other ways to say: Very happy, super excited
Fun Fact/Origin: The word “tickled” once meant to delight or please someone.
Usage: Used when someone feels happy or proud.
5. White Lie
Meaning: A small lie told to be kind or avoid hurting someone.
Example Sentence:
- She told a white lie to make her brother feel better.
- I said I liked the soup, even though I didn’t. It was just a white lie.
Other ways to say: Harmless lie, tiny lie
Fun Fact/Origin: The color white is often seen as pure or good, making a white lie seem gentle.
Usage: Used when someone lies to be nice or polite.
6. Black Sheep
Meaning: A person who is different in a family or group and often causes trouble.
Example Sentence:
- He was the black sheep of the family because he didn’t like sports.
- She felt like a black sheep at school for loving bugs.
Other ways to say: Outcast, odd one out
Fun Fact/Origin: Farmers liked white sheep better since black wool couldn’t be dyed easily.
Usage: Used when someone doesn’t fit in with others.
7. Out of the Blue
Meaning: Happening suddenly and without warning.
Example Sentence:
- Out of the blue, it started snowing in April.
- He called me out of the blue after two years.
Other ways to say: Suddenly, without warning
Fun Fact/Origin: The sky is usually calm and blue, so a sudden storm is unexpected—just like this idiom.
Usage: Used when something surprising happens.
8. In the Red
Meaning: Owing money or not having enough money.
Example Sentence:
- After buying the video game, he was in the red.
- Mom said we were in the red and had to save more.
Other ways to say: In debt, losing money
Fun Fact/Origin: In old bank records, red ink showed money losses.
Usage: Used when someone has spent too much money.
9. Roll Out the Red Carpet
Meaning: To give someone special treatment.
Example Sentence:
- The school rolled out the red carpet for the visiting author.
- They rolled out the red carpet for the winning basketball team.
Other ways to say: Treat like royalty, give a warm welcome
Fun Fact/Origin: Red carpets were once used for kings and important guests.
Usage: Used when someone is treated very well.
10. Catch Someone Red-Handed
Meaning: To catch someone doing something bad.
Example Sentence:
- I caught my brother red-handed playing my video game.
- The teacher caught the student red-handed with a cheat sheet.
Other ways to say: Busted, caught in action
Fun Fact/Origin: This is like “red-handed” and comes from times when red hands showed guilt.
Usage: Used when someone is caught doing wrong.
11. Black and White
Meaning: Simple, clear, or easy to understand.
Example Sentence:
- The rules are black and white—no phones in class.
- It’s not always black and white; sometimes there’s a gray area.
Other ways to say: Clear, simple
Fun Fact/Origin: Black and white print made things clear in books and newspapers.
Usage: Used when something is easy to understand or has no confusion.
12. Green Light
Meaning: Permission to go ahead with something.
Example Sentence:
- Dad gave us the green light to build the treehouse.
- The coach gave the green light for extra practice.
Other ways to say: Go-ahead, approval
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from traffic lights—green means go.
Usage: Used when someone is allowed to start something.
13. See Red
Meaning: To become very angry.
Example Sentence:
- He saw red when his sister broke his toy.
- She sees red when someone lies to her.
Other ways to say: Get mad, lose temper
Fun Fact/Origin: Red is linked to anger and high emotions.
Usage: Used when someone gets really upset.
14. Once in a Blue Moon
Meaning: Something that happens very rarely.
Example Sentence:
- We eat out only once in a blue moon.
- He visits the zoo once in a blue moon.
Other ways to say: Rarely, not often
Fun Fact/Origin: A “blue moon” is a rare second full moon in one month.
Usage: Used when something hardly ever happens.
15. White as a Ghost
Meaning: Very pale, usually from fear or shock.
Example Sentence:
- He looked white as a ghost after the loud noise.
- She turned white as a ghost when she saw the spider.
Other ways to say: Pale, scared
Fun Fact/Origin: Ghosts are often shown as white and spooky.
Usage: Used when someone looks very scared.
16. In the Pink
Meaning: In very good health or feeling great.
Example Sentence:
- Grandma is in the pink after her walk every morning.
- He felt in the pink after a good night’s sleep.
Other ways to say: Healthy, well
Fun Fact/Origin: Pink cheeks were once a sign of good health.
Usage: Used when someone feels well or full of energy.
17. Blue Blood
Meaning: From a rich or important family.
Example Sentence:
- The king had blue blood and lived in a big castle.
- Some people with blue blood think they’re better than others.
Other ways to say: High-class, noble
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from old Europe, where nobles had light skin showing blue veins.
Usage: Used when talking about people from wealthy families.
18. Yellow-Bellied
Meaning: Very scared or cowardly.
Example Sentence:
- He was too yellow-bellied to go on the rollercoaster.
- Don’t be yellow-bellied—ask your question.
Other ways to say: Scared, coward
Fun Fact/Origin: “Yellow” was once a sign of sickness and fear.
Usage: Used when someone is too afraid to do something.
19. Paint the Town Red
Meaning: To go out and have fun, often at night.
Example Sentence:
- After the big win, the team painted the town red.
- On her birthday, she painted the town red with friends.
Other ways to say: Party, celebrate
Fun Fact/Origin: Some say it comes from wild parties that left red paint on walls.
Usage: Used when people go out for a good time.
20. Gray Area
Meaning: Not clear or not black and white; hard to understand.
Example Sentence:
- The rules about phones are a gray area.
- It’s a gray area when deciding what’s fair.
Other ways to say: Unclear, confusing
Fun Fact/Origin: Gray is between black and white—neither one nor the other.
Usage: Used when something isn’t easy to explain.
21. Blackout
Meaning: A time when the power goes out or someone loses memory.
Example Sentence:
- We had a blackout during the storm.
- He blacked out and couldn’t remember the fall.
Other ways to say: Power loss, fainting
Fun Fact/Origin: In the U.S., blackouts are common during bad weather.
Usage: Used when the lights go out or someone faints.
22. White as Snow
Meaning: Very clean, pure, or innocent.
Example Sentence:
- Her dress was white as snow.
- The puppy’s fur was white as snow.
Other ways to say: Very clean, pure
Fun Fact/Origin: Snow is often used in fairy tales as a symbol of purity.
Usage: Used to describe something spotless or someone innocent.
23. Blue-Collar
Meaning: Someone who works with their hands, like in a factory or construction.
Example Sentence:
- His dad is a blue-collar worker at the factory.
- Many blue-collar jobs are important for building towns.
Other ways to say: Labor worker, hands-on worker
Fun Fact/Origin: Blue shirts were common work clothes for factory workers.
Usage: Used to describe people with manual jobs.
24. Red Tape
Meaning: Too many rules or delays in doing something.
Example Sentence:
- There was too much red tape to start the club.
- The red tape made it hard to get the permit.
Other ways to say: Rules, delays
Fun Fact/Origin: Government papers were tied with red ribbons to show rules.
Usage: Used when too many steps or rules slow things down.
25. Blackout Poem
Meaning: A poem made by crossing out words in a text and leaving some behind.
Example Sentence:
- We made blackout poems in English class.
- She created a cool blackout poem from a newspaper.
Other ways to say: Hidden word art
Fun Fact/Origin: This style of poem started as an art project in the U.S.
Usage: Used as a fun writing and art activity.
26. In a Blue Funk
Meaning: Feeling sad or worried.
Example Sentence:
- She was in a blue funk after her best friend moved away.
- He stayed quiet all day, stuck in a blue funk.
Other ways to say: Sad mood, feeling low
Fun Fact/Origin: “Funk” once meant a bad smell or bad mood.
Usage: Used when someone feels gloomy or down.
27. Green Around the Gills
Meaning: Looking sick or unwell.
Example Sentence:
- He looked green around the gills after the spinning ride.
- She was green around the gills from the car ride.
Other ways to say: Sick, queasy
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from old times when pale, sick faces were compared to green.
Usage: Used when someone looks like they might throw up.
28. Red Flag
Meaning: A warning sign of trouble.
Example Sentence:
- Being late all the time is a red flag.
- Not doing homework was a red flag for the teacher.
Other ways to say: Warning sign, danger signal
Fun Fact/Origin: Red flags were used in battles or races to show danger.
Usage: Used when something shows a possible problem.
29. Blackout Curtains
Meaning: Thick curtains that block all light.
Example Sentence:
- We use blackout curtains so we can sleep in.
- The hotel room had blackout curtains, which made it very dark.
Other ways to say: Light-blocking shades
Fun Fact/Origin: During war times in the USA, people used blackout curtains for safety.
Usage: Used to block light completely.
30. White as a Sheet
Meaning: Very pale, often from fear or sickness.
Example Sentence:
- He turned white as a sheet after the thunder.
- She looked white as a sheet after the bad fall.
Other ways to say: Pale, scared
Fun Fact/Origin: Sheets are often white, making it a clear image for pale skin.
Usage: Used when someone looks shocked or scared.
31. Golden Opportunity
Meaning: A great chance.
Example Sentence:
- Winning the contest was a golden opportunity.
- She got a golden opportunity to be in a movie.
Other ways to say: Great chance, lucky moment
Fun Fact/Origin: Gold has always been linked to wealth and value.
Usage: Used when someone has a very good chance to do something.
32. Blue in the Face
Meaning: Tired from trying or arguing.
Example Sentence:
- He explained the rules until he was blue in the face.
- She told him to clean up until she was blue in the face.
Other ways to say: Frustrated, worn out
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of talking so much you lose breath.
Usage: Used when someone keeps trying without success.
33. In the Black
Meaning: Making money or having no debt.
Example Sentence:
- The store is finally in the black this year.
- Mom said we are in the black after saving money.
Other ways to say: Profitable, out of debt
Fun Fact/Origin: In U.S. accounting, black ink shows profits.
Usage: Used when a business is doing well financially.
34. Red-Eyed
Meaning: Looking tired from not sleeping.
Example Sentence:
- He looked red-eyed after studying all night.
- She had red eyes after crying at the movie.
Other ways to say: Sleepy, teary
Fun Fact/Origin: Eyes often turn red from lack of sleep or crying.
Usage: Used when someone looks tired or emotional.
35. Golden Rule
Meaning: A simple rule to treat others the way you want to be treated.
Example Sentence:
- Always follow the golden rule at school.
- The golden rule helps us be kind to others.
Other ways to say: Treat others well
Fun Fact/Origin: This rule appears in many cultures and religions.
Usage: Used to teach respect and kindness.
36. Green Thumb
Meaning: Being good at gardening.
Example Sentence:
- Grandma has a green thumb—her flowers always bloom.
- He grew huge tomatoes thanks to his green thumb.
Other ways to say: Good with plants
Fun Fact/Origin: Green is the color of plants, making it a symbol for gardeners.
Usage: Used when someone grows plants well.
37. Pink Slip
Meaning: A notice that someone lost their job.
Example Sentence:
- Dad got a pink slip when the company closed.
- Many workers got pink slips last month.
Other ways to say: Layoff notice, job loss
Fun Fact/Origin: In the USA, job layoff papers were once printed on pink paper.
Usage: Used when someone is let go from work.
38. Like a Red Rag to a Bull
Meaning: Something that makes someone very angry.
Example Sentence:
- Talking about homework is like a red rag to a bull for him.
- Her teasing was like a red rag to a bull.
Other ways to say: Provoking, upsetting
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from bullfighting where red cloth is waved.
Usage: Used when something triggers anger quickly.
39. Born with a Silver Spoon
Meaning: Born into a rich family.
Example Sentence:
- He was born with a silver spoon and never had to work.
- She’s lucky—born with a silver spoon in her mouth.
Other ways to say: Born rich
Fun Fact/Origin: Silver spoons were once a sign of wealth at birth.
Usage: Used to describe someone born into wealth.
40. Black Mood
Meaning: Feeling angry or very sad.
Example Sentence:
- He was in a black mood after losing the game.
- Don’t bother her—she’s in a black mood.
Other ways to say: Grumpy, upset
Fun Fact/Origin: Dark colors often show bad or sad feelings.
Usage: Used when someone feels really down or angry.
41. White Elephant
Meaning: A gift or item that’s big but not useful.
Example Sentence:
- That giant chair was a white elephant—too big for our room.
- They gave away the white elephant at the garage sale.
Other ways to say: Useless item, extra thing
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from a story about kings giving big, costly animals as jokes.
Usage: Used when something is more trouble than it’s worth.
42. Painted into a Corner
Meaning: Trapped by your own actions or words.
Example Sentence:
- He painted himself into a corner by lying.
- She promised too much and painted herself into a corner.
Other ways to say: Stuck, trapped
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from painting a floor without a way to leave.
Usage: Used when someone limits their own choices.
43. True Colors
Meaning: A person’s real self or feelings.
Example Sentence:
- He showed his true colors by helping a friend.
- She acted nice but showed her true colors later.
Other ways to say: Real self, true side
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from ships flying their real flags in battle.
Usage: Used when someone reveals who they really are.
44. Black Comedy
Meaning: A type of humor about serious or dark topics.
Example Sentence:
- The movie was a black comedy about zombies.
- Some jokes in black comedy are not for kids.
Other ways to say: Dark humor
Fun Fact/Origin: Used for stories that mix laughter and serious things.
Usage: Used for humor that deals with tough topics.
45. Blue Ribbon
Meaning: The best or first place prize.
Example Sentence:
- She won the blue ribbon for her science project.
- The pie contest gave out a blue ribbon to the winner.
Other ways to say: First prize, top winner
Fun Fact/Origin: Blue ribbons are used at U.S. fairs for top entries.
Usage: Used when someone wins first place.
46. Seeing Things Through Rose-Colored Glasses
Meaning: Only seeing the good, not the bad.
Example Sentence:
- He sees the world through rose-colored glasses.
- She looked at the trip through rose-colored glasses and missed the hard parts.
Other ways to say: Too positive, unrealistic
Fun Fact/Origin: Rose-tinted glasses soften how things look.
Usage: Used when someone ignores problems.
47. As White as Snow
Meaning: Very clean, bright, or innocent.
Example Sentence:
- Her teeth were as white as snow.
- The dress was as white as snow.
Other ways to say: Super clean, bright
Fun Fact/Origin: Snow is often used to describe pure things.
Usage: Used when something is spotless or innocent.
48. Raise a Red Flag
Meaning: To show that something might be wrong.
Example Sentence:
- His missing homework raised a red flag.
- Bad behavior can raise a red flag for teachers.
Other ways to say: Warning, alert
Fun Fact/Origin: Red flags were used as danger signs in old times.
Usage: Used when you notice something wrong.
49. Black Out
Meaning: To faint or lose memory.
Example Sentence:
- He blacked out after hitting his head.
- She blacked out from the heat.
Other ways to say: Faint, pass out
Fun Fact/Origin: “Black out” means everything goes dark.
Usage: Used when someone passes out or forgets.
50. White Collar
Meaning: A person who works at an office or desk job.
Example Sentence:
- She got a white-collar job in a big company.
- Most white-collar jobs need a computer.
Other ways to say: Office worker
Fun Fact/Origin: White shirts were common for office workers.
Usage: Used for non-physical jobs.
51. Black Market
Meaning: Illegal buying or selling.
Example Sentence:
- He bought fake shoes on the black market.
- Some items are sold on the black market when they’re banned.
Other ways to say: Illegal trade
Fun Fact/Origin: Hidden trading places were called “black” for being secret.
Usage: Used for illegal selling.
52. Golden Years
Meaning: The time after retirement.
Example Sentence:
- They traveled during their golden years.
- The golden years are meant to be peaceful.
Other ways to say: Retirement years
Fun Fact/Origin: Gold means value, so golden years are seen as a reward.
Usage: Used for peaceful retirement time.
53. Black Sheep of the Family
Meaning: The one who is different or causes trouble.
Example Sentence:
- He’s the black sheep of the family because he dropped out of school.
- She’s the black sheep for moving far away.
Other ways to say: Outcast
Fun Fact/Origin: Black sheep stand out in a flock.
Usage: Used when someone doesn’t fit in.
54. Silver Lining
Meaning: A good part in a bad situation.
Example Sentence:
- The silver lining of being sick was missing school.
- Every storm has a silver lining.
Other ways to say: Bright side, good outcome
Fun Fact/Origin: Clouds sometimes look silver on the edges with sunlight.
Usage: Used when something bad has a good side.
55. Red-Hot
Meaning: Very popular or exciting.
Example Sentence:
- The new game is red-hot right now.
- That team is red-hot after winning five games.
Other ways to say: Popular, trending
Fun Fact/Origin: Metal turns red when it’s super hot.
Usage: Used when something is very popular or exciting.
Quiz: Idioms About Colors
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question. Only one answer is correct. Think about how the color idioms were used in everyday examples.
Question Key
1. What does “feeling blue” mean?
A) Feeling excited
B) Feeling sad
C) Feeling hot
2. If someone is “green with envy,” how do they feel?
A) They are very jealous
B) They are tired
C) They are confused
3. What does it mean to be caught “red-handed”?
A) You dropped something
B) You were caught doing something wrong
C) You are helping someone
4. When someone is “tickled pink,” what are they feeling?
A) Angry
B) Sick
C) Very happy
5. A “white lie” is:
A) A big lie
B) A small lie told to be nice
C) A truth told loudly
6. If someone is the “black sheep,” what does it mean?
A) They are always right
B) They are different from others
C) They are the leader
7. What does “out of the blue” mean?
A) Something happened suddenly
B) You forgot something
C) The sky turned red
8. If a business is “in the red,” what does it mean?
A) It’s closed
B) It’s losing money
C) It’s growing fast
9. What does “roll out the red carpet” mean?
A) To clean the floor
B) To give someone special treatment
C) To walk slowly
10. What does “once in a blue moon” mean?
A) Happens every day
B) Happens very often
C) Happens very rarely
11. What does “see red” mean?
A) Feel very happy
B) Feel very angry
C) Feel confused
12. If something is “black and white,” it is:
A) Complicated
B) Simple and clear
C) Colorful
13. If you “get the green light,” what does that mean?
A) You have to stop
B) You have permission to start
C) You need to wait
14. What does it mean to have a “green thumb”?
A) You are good at sports
B) You are good at gardening
C) You like to paint
15. A “red flag” means:
A) Something dangerous or wrong
B) A holiday
C) A birthday
16. What is a “golden opportunity”?
A) A boring task
B) A fun trip
C) A great chance
17. What does it mean if someone is “yellow-bellied”?
A) Brave
B) Funny
C) Scared
18. If someone is “blue in the face,” what does it mean?
A) They are tired from trying
B) They ate something cold
C) They held their breath for fun
19. What does “true colors” mean?
A) The crayons someone likes
B) Their favorite outfit
C) Someone’s real self
20. What is a “white elephant”?
A) A rare animal
B) A large but useless item
C) A statue
21. What does “born with a silver spoon” mean?
A) Born into a rich family
B) Likes shiny things
C) Eats fancy food
22. A “silver lining” is:
A) A fun toy
B) A bright side in a bad time
C) A kind of medal
23. If a person “paints the town red,” what are they doing?
A) Walking home
B) Celebrating and having fun
C) Going to school
24. What does “black mood” mean?
A) Feeling happy
B) Feeling silly
C) Feeling sad or angry
25. What does “red-hot” mean?
A) Cold and quiet
B) Very popular or exciting
C) Really spicy food
Answer Key
- B) Feeling sad
- A) They are very jealous
- B) You were caught doing something wrong
- C) Very happy
- B) A small lie told to be nice
- B) They are different from others
- A) Something happened suddenly
- B) It’s losing money
- B) To give someone special treatment
- C) Happens very rarely
- B) Feel very angry
- B) Simple and clear
- B) You have permission to start
- B) You are good at gardening
- A) Something dangerous or wrong
- C) A great chance
- C) Scared
- A) They are tired from trying
- C) Someone’s real self
- B) A large but useless item
- A) Born into a rich family
- B) A bright side in a bad time
- B) Celebrating and having fun
- C) Feeling sad or angry
- B) Very popular or exciting
Wrapping Up
Color idioms are part of everyday talk in the USA. They help us explain feelings, actions, and situations in a simple way. From “feeling blue” when you’re sad to “green with envy” when you’re jealous, these expressions make our words more fun and clear.
Knowing these idioms helps you understand what others mean and makes your own speaking more interesting. So next time you hear someone mention colors in a strange way, you’ll know exactly what they’re saying. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be using color idioms just like native speakers.
