In the United States, people often use idioms in daily speech to express feelings, ideas, and traditions. One type of idiom that catches attention is “black” idioms. These phrases include the word “black” but are not always about the color itself. Instead, they describe emotions, events, or situations using creative comparisons. These idioms are used in movies, music, news, and everyday conversations across the country.
For kids in 5th grade or higher, learning these idioms can be fun and helpful. They help make your speech more interesting and clear. In this article, we’ll explore 28 idioms that include the word “black.” You’ll learn what each one means, how it’s used, and where it comes from. By the end, you’ll be able to recognize and use these phrases in real life—just like many Americans do every day.
Idioms About Black
1. Black sheep
Meaning: A person who is different from the rest of the group and often causes embarrassment.
Example Sentence:
• Uncle Joe is the black sheep of our family because he never follows rules.
• She felt like the black sheep at school because she liked different things.
Other ways to say: Odd one out, outcast
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from farming. Most sheep are white, so a black one stands out.
Usage: Used in families or groups to describe someone who doesn’t fit in.
2. Black and white
Meaning: A clear difference between two things; no gray area.
Example Sentence:
• The rules are black and white—no exceptions.
• He sees everything as black and white, not realizing life can be more complex.
Other ways to say: Clear-cut, straightforward
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from printing, where black ink on white paper shows clear contrast.
Usage: Used when people think something is clearly right or wrong.
3. In the black
Meaning: To have money or be making a profit.
Example Sentence:
• After selling lemonade all summer, she was finally in the black.
• The store is back in the black after the big holiday sale.
Other ways to say: Making money, profitable
Fun Fact/Origin: Accountants use black ink to show profit and red ink to show loss.
Usage: Used in business or personal money situations.
4. Black eye
Meaning: A bruise around the eye or damage to a reputation.
Example Sentence:
• He got a black eye during the football game.
• That mistake gave the company a black eye in the news.
Other ways to say: Bruise, damage
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the appearance of bruising after getting hit.
Usage: Used for both physical injury and bad publicity.
5. Black out
Meaning: To lose consciousness or memory; to lose power.
Example Sentence:
• He blacked out after hitting his head.
• The lights blacked out during the storm.
Other ways to say: Faint, lose power
Fun Fact/Origin: The phrase is from the sudden darkness that follows loss of vision or power.
Usage: Used in health or emergency situations.
6. Black market
Meaning: An illegal place or way to buy or sell things.
Example Sentence:
• They bought fireworks from the black market.
• The black market sells things not allowed in stores.
Other ways to say: Illegal trade, underground market
Fun Fact/Origin: The term grew during wartime when people sold items secretly.
Usage: Used when talking about illegal sales.
7. Pot calling the kettle black
Meaning: Accusing someone of something you are guilty of too.
Example Sentence:
• She said I talk too much, but that’s the pot calling the kettle black.
• That’s like the pot calling the kettle black—he lies more than anyone.
Other ways to say: Hypocrite, blaming someone for your own fault
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from old kitchens where both pots and kettles got black from fire soot.
Usage: Used when someone criticizes another for the same behavior they show.
8. Blackmail
Meaning: Threatening someone to get money or make them do something.
Example Sentence:
• He tried to blackmail the teacher with an old photo.
• Blackmail is a serious crime in the U.S.
Other ways to say: Threaten, force
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from old words “black” (bad) and “mail” (payment or rent).
Usage: Used in legal and personal situations where threats are used.
9. Black tie
Meaning: A formal event that requires dressy clothing.
Example Sentence:
• We’re going to a black-tie wedding, so wear a suit.
• The school held a black-tie fundraiser last night.
Other ways to say: Formal dress, fancy event
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from tuxedos with black bow ties used at high-class events.
Usage: Used when talking about dress codes for fancy occasions.
10. Pitch black
Meaning: Completely dark with no light.
Example Sentence:
• It was pitch black outside during the power outage.
• The basement was pitch black, and I couldn’t see anything.
Other ways to say: Total darkness, no light
Fun Fact/Origin: “Pitch” is a thick black substance used in old times, giving the idea of deep darkness.
Usage: Used to describe places with no light at all.
11. Black-hearted
Meaning: Cruel or evil in nature.
Example Sentence:
• That black-hearted villain hurt people for fun.
• Only a black-hearted person would cheat their friends.
Other ways to say: Mean-spirited, wicked
Fun Fact/Origin: “Heart” often shows emotion; “black” adds the idea of something dark or bad.
Usage: Used to describe someone who acts with bad intentions.
12. Black comedy
Meaning: A type of humor that makes fun of serious or dark topics.
Example Sentence:
• The movie used black comedy to joke about tough issues.
• Some people like black comedy, but others find it too harsh.
Other ways to say: Dark humor, edgy jokes
Fun Fact/Origin: This term came from the French phrase “comédie noire.”
Usage: Often used in TV shows or films that mix laughter with serious topics.
13. Black mood
Meaning: Feeling very upset or angry.
Example Sentence:
• Dad was in a black mood after losing his keys.
• She stayed quiet all day because of her black mood.
Other ways to say: Bad mood, foul mood
Fun Fact/Origin: The color black is linked to sadness or anger in many cultures.
Usage: Used when someone is in a very grumpy or sad state.
14. Black mark
Meaning: A bad record or note about someone’s actions.
Example Sentence:
• Failing math was a black mark on his report card.
• Cheating in class left a black mark on her record.
Other ways to say: Bad record, negative note
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from marking student records with ink to show mistakes.
Usage: Used in school or job settings when someone has done something wrong.
15. Black day
Meaning: A day when something terrible or sad happens.
Example Sentence:
• The fire made it a black day for the whole town.
• 9/11 is remembered as a black day in American history.
Other ways to say: Sad day, dark day
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in history and news to mark tragedy or disaster.
Usage: Used to describe a very unlucky or upsetting day.
16. Black look
Meaning: A mean or angry stare.
Example Sentence:
• She gave him a black look after the rude comment.
• I got a black look from the teacher for talking.
Other ways to say: Dirty look, angry glare
Fun Fact/Origin: “Black” shows anger or displeasure; the look seems dark or cold.
Usage: Used when someone shows anger with their eyes or face.
17. Black thoughts
Meaning: Negative or sad thoughts.
Example Sentence:
• He tried to fight off the black thoughts after the loss.
• During winter, many people have black thoughts.
Other ways to say: Sad ideas, dark thinking
Fun Fact/Origin: The color black is often used to describe depression or low feelings.
Usage: Used when someone is feeling mentally down or upset.
18. Black out the truth
Meaning: To hide or cover up the truth.
Example Sentence:
• The news tried to black out the truth about the accident.
• They blacked out the truth to protect someone important.
Other ways to say: Cover up, hide the facts
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from using black ink to block out words on a page.
Usage: Used when people try to stop others from knowing what really happened.
19. Black book
Meaning: A list of people who are not trusted or liked.
Example Sentence:
• After the prank, his name went into the teacher’s black book.
• He keeps a black book of people who betrayed him.
Other ways to say: Naughty list, trouble list
Fun Fact/Origin: In old times, a “black book” kept names of people who misbehaved.
Usage: Used when someone wants to remember who not to trust.
20. Black widow
Meaning: A woman who causes harm to her partner, often used in crime stories.
Example Sentence:
• The news called her a black widow after her fourth husband died.
• He joked about her being a black widow because of her bad dating history.
Other ways to say: Dangerous woman, femme fatale
Fun Fact/Origin: Named after the spider known for eating its mate.
Usage: Used in crime shows or stories about dangerous relationships.
21. Black as coal
Meaning: Very dark in color.
Example Sentence:
• The dog’s fur was black as coal.
• Her hair was black as coal in the sunlight.
Other ways to say: Jet black, dark as night
Fun Fact/Origin: Coal is a natural black mineral used for heat.
Usage: Used to describe something that is very black in color.
22. Black hole
Meaning: A place where things disappear or get lost; also used for strong sadness.
Example Sentence:
• My time disappears into a black hole when I’m online.
• She felt like she was in a black hole after the breakup.
Other ways to say: Empty space, lost place
Fun Fact/Origin: Based on space science, where black holes pull in everything nearby.
Usage: Used for things or feelings that seem to suck in everything.
23. Black magic
Meaning: Magic used for bad or evil reasons.
Example Sentence:
• The story was about a witch who used black magic.
• People feared he was using black magic to get his way.
Other ways to say: Evil spell, dark sorcery
Fun Fact/Origin: Black magic has long been linked to superstitions and fear.
Usage: Used in fantasy, movies, or when people believe in dark powers.
24. Black as night
Meaning: Very dark, like nighttime with no moon or stars.
Example Sentence:
• The cave was black as night inside.
• His coat was black as night.
Other ways to say: Pitch black, dark as space
Fun Fact/Origin: Nighttime is the darkest part of the day, often used to show darkness.
Usage: Used to describe deep darkness in color or space.
25. Black stain
Meaning: A mark of shame or a bad memory.
Example Sentence:
• The scandal left a black stain on the team’s name.
• That lie was a black stain on his record.
Other ways to say: Bad spot, shameful mark
Fun Fact/Origin: Stains are hard to clean, and black ones stand out the most.
Usage: Used when something bad harms someone’s reputation.
26. Black spirit
Meaning: A mood or person filled with negativity.
Example Sentence:
• The movie had a black spirit—it was too gloomy.
• He came with a black spirit, ruining the good mood.
Other ways to say: Gloomy vibe, dark energy
Fun Fact/Origin: “Spirit” means feeling or mood; “black” makes it feel heavy or bad.
Usage: Used when a person or place gives off a very sad or angry feeling.
27. Black thunder
Meaning: A sign of trouble coming or strong anger.
Example Sentence:
• Mom’s voice came like black thunder when she found the mess.
• The clouds rolled in like black thunder before the storm.
Other ways to say: Big trouble, strong warning
Fun Fact/Origin: Thunder is loud and scary—adding “black” makes it even more intense.
Usage: Used to describe anger or danger that feels strong and fast.
28. Black curtain
Meaning: Something that hides or blocks the truth or feelings.
Example Sentence:
• His smile was just a black curtain hiding his sadness.
• The black curtain of fear kept her from speaking up.
Other ways to say: Wall of silence, cover-up
Fun Fact/Origin: Curtains block light and views; “black” adds the feeling of gloom.
Usage: Used to show when something is hidden behind sadness or lies.
Quiz: Idioms About Black
Instructions: Choose the correct meaning for each idiom. Only one answer is correct. Good luck!
Question Key
1. What does “black sheep” mean?
a) Someone who is very successful
b) Someone who is different and often causes shame
c) Someone who always wears black clothes
2. If something is “black and white,” what does that mean?
a) It is very confusing
b) It is very clear and simple
c) It is colored black and white
3. What does “in the black” mean?
a) To be out of money
b) To owe a lot of money
c) To be making a profit
4. If a room is “pitch black,” what does that mean?
a) It is bright and sunny
b) It is completely dark
c) It is noisy
5. What does “blackmail” mean?
a) Sending a letter
b) Asking for help
c) Threatening someone to get what you want
6. If someone gives you a “black look,” what are they doing?
a) Smiling kindly
b) Staring in an angry way
c) Looking away quietly
7. What does “black mark” mean?
a) A good grade
b) A reward
c) A bad record or mistake
8. What does the idiom “black comedy” mean?
a) A silly kids’ show
b) A type of humor about serious topics
c) A play about colors
9. If someone has “black thoughts,” what does that mean?
a) They are feeling cheerful
b) They are thinking about math
c) They are having sad or negative thoughts
10. What is a “black tie” event?
a) A casual hangout
b) A formal or fancy event
c) A birthday party
Answer Key
- b) Someone who is different and often causes shame
- b) It is very clear and simple
- c) To be making a profit
- b) It is completely dark
- c) Threatening someone to get what you want
- b) Staring in an angry way
- c) A bad record or mistake
- b) A type of humor about serious topics
- c) They are having sad or negative thoughts
- b) A formal or fancy event
Wrapping Up
Idioms that use the word “black” are found all over the USA. They can describe moods, events, or even how people act. Some sound serious, while others are used in fun ways. Learning these helps you understand everyday talk and shows how creative language can be. Whether it’s about being the “black sheep” or dressing up for a “black-tie” event, these phrases say a lot in just a few words.
Keep listening for these idioms in movies, school, and books. The more you hear them, the easier they become to use. It’s a great way to sound more natural when speaking English.
