Colours – English idioms and sayings

I hate purple prose. Why can't people just cut to the chase and write only what is worth writing?

I'm sick of Joey. He keeps brown-nosing and the worst thing is that my professor seems to like it. Ugh!

Come on, we're going shopping. Maybe that we'll get you out of this brown study you're in today.

Hey, don't worry. I remember what it was like to be green. It's better to ask questions than to mess something up.

Aunt Marge talked a blue streak and we had to sit there and listen to her all day. I'm so tired!

Are you feeling well? You're white as a sheet.

Have you heard that Margot is a blue blood? Her grandfather owns a real castle!

I admit that I had some financial problems but I'm in the black now and everything's fine.

My child is whiter than white. She couldn't have done it!

Oh my God! What happened? You're all black and blue.

I'm feeling a bit blue today. Do you feel like coming over? I could use some company.

His business is in the red. He needs to find a way to earn some money or he'll get into serious troubles.

Did you see Julie's reaction? She was literally green with envy when she saw Mark with his new girlfriend.

My neighbour is almost 80 years old but she's still in the pink.

My grandparents were so happy to give me their old house but for me it's rather a white elephant. It costs me a lot to keep it in a good state and I can't sell it because that would break their hearts!

Be careful or Susie will put you on her blacklist. She does it to everyone who has ever been rude to her. Seriously. I wonder how long this list must be by now.

Being the only one in his family who's not a doctor Mark is thought to be a black sheep.

I'm not a fan of black humour. I don't think it's appropriate to make fun of thing that are so serious.

You can find stolen goods on the black market.

Oh please! How can you believe what they are writing? Don't you know it's just yellow journalism?

I can bear the criticism. Please, blue-pencil as much as you like in my book. I just need an honest opinion.

She was in white heat when she was writing that message to Tom and now she regrets it.

You can't watch this! Blue movies are not for children!

My sister is coming home after five years of living in France. I think we need to roll out the red carpet for her.

My girlfriend is a bluestocking. It's impossible to find a subject she has nothing to say about.

I hit my pinkie today. I know it's only one finger but it feels like I can't move my hand at all.

It's a white-tie party. You really think you can sneak in wearing your jeans?

Sam has a yellow streak down his back. He won't go with us.

The thief was caught red-handed.

No one wants to deal with red tape but everybody has to.

I'm sorry for calling you out of the blue but I need a favour.

No wonder you're feeling a bit depressed today. It's Blue Monday.

I thought that the necklace I found was precious but apparently it's not worth a red cent. What a pity.

Well, I know I should have told Alex the truth but I couldn't bring myself to it. It was just a white lie. It didn't hurt anybody and it sure made him feel better!

It's a grey area of law.

Don't say it was an accident! You knew that if people find out about Charlie's past they will get suspicious. You did it to blacken his name!

You don't need to explain this to me. It's all black and white.

You are green around the gills. Maybe we should come to a stop for a moment? I'm afraid you're getting motion sickness.

I couldn't take it any longer, I just had to wave a white flag. I hate arguing with Janice.

Wow, what did you do to deserve that black look? She must hate you!

It's not typical for men to be pink-collar workers but it happens more and more often.

The term "blue-collar workers" refers to the fact that manual labourers used to wear blue overalls.

Ironically, white-collar workers don't wear white collars anymore. It's all about smart casual now.

Don't worry about Kate. She's a true-blue. I trust her.

Blue laws are enforced in some of the European countries. That's why most shops are closed on Sundays.

Carrie has been in a blue funk since the accident. She's not herself now.

There was a blackout yesterday. Suddenly the whole city became dark. It was strange.

You think I am mean? Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black?

Ever since she started dating James she sees everything through rose-coloured glasses. Nothing can ruin her mood.

Your performance was amazing, you deserve a blue ribbon.

Things are looking rosy. I think we can actually win this year.

Don't lie to me. I know the whole story was just a whitewash.

The pain was so terrible that Susan blacked out for a moment.

He was found guilty of blackmail and sent to prison.

My sister blackmailed me into cleaning her room by using my childhood photos and threatening to show them to my new boyfriend.

Use your grey matter! It's not that difficult!

I can't believe you fell for Steve. Everyone knows he's a yellow-dog.

My friend is so yellow. She won't go out when it's dark outside. She's too scared!

This book is full of red herrings. I realised what was actually going on at the very end!

I know that the invitation said "black tie" but it doesn't mean you actually need to wear a black tie. You can wear a gray one if you want. Just dress formally.

It's a red-letter day for me and Harry. It's our anniversary today!

You can't call people rednecks. It's rude.

I just got so angry that I saw red. I hate Jules!

He was blackballed because of the serious argument he had with the chairman.

I tried very hard to black out the memory of seeing you in that costume but it comes back every time I look at you. I'm sorry, I just can't stop laughing!

I got a pink slip today. I have no idea what to do now.

I was standing there red-faced as the other kids were laughing at me.

My boss gave me a green light to start working on this new project.

Whatever she does, she does it up brown. She's a professional.