20 Idioms based on Colours
Click on any idiom for more information, including example sentences, notes and quizzes.
These are English idioms based on colour and colours. You can also try this Colour Idioms Quiz
Idioms
a white lie
If you tell a white lie, you say something that isn't true in order to be polite or so as not to hurt someone's feelings.
a yellow streak
If someone has a yellow streak, they can sometimes act in a cowardly way and not be very brave.
caught red-handed
If someone is caught red-handed, they are caught in the act of doing something wrong such as cheating or stealing.
give the green light
If you give something the green light, you give permission for it to be done, or allow it to happen.
kill the goose that lays the golden egg
If you kill the goose that lays the golden egg, you destroy something that has made you a lot of money.
out of the blue
If something happens out of the blue, you're not expecting it to happen and you're surprised when it does.
paint the town red
If you paint the town red, you visit bars, nightclubs and other nightspots to have a good time.
red tape
Strict adherence to rules and regulations so that a procedure seems to take longer than necessary.
see through rose-coloured glasses | rose-colored glasses
If someone sees things through rose-coloured glasses, they see things as being better than they really are.
show your true colours | show your true colors
You show your true colours if you show what you're really like, or you reveal your true character.
with flying colours | colors
If you pass a test with flying colours, you pass it easily and get high marks.
yellow journalism
Journalism in which sensational stories are used to boost sales, or biased reporting is used to change the reader's views on an issue. Both of these are unethical.
