Colors have always been a part of our lives, adding vibrant hues to our experiences and emotions. In the English language, colors often find their way into slang phrases, enriching our vocabulary and giving us a unique way to express ourselves. Whether you’re looking to sound like a local or simply expand your linguistic horizons, here are over 50 English slang phrases about colors, each with its own story and usage.
1. “Red” Hot Phrases
- Red-hot: Extremely popular or exciting. “That new band is red-hot right now!”
- See red: To become extremely angry. “When he heard the news, he saw red.”
- Red-letter day: A very happy or important day. “Getting accepted into college was a red-letter day for me.”
2. “Green” Slang Expressions
- Green with envy: To be very jealous. “She’s green with envy of her friend’s new car.”
- Green thumb: A natural talent for gardening or making things grow. “My grandma has a real green thumb.”
- Green light: Permission to proceed. “The manager gave us the green light to start the project.”
3. “Blue” Language
- Blue in the face: To talk or shout loudly without getting a response. “He tried to call me, but I was blue in the face.”
- Blue Monday: The third Monday of January, traditionally considered the most depressing day of the year. “It’s Blue Monday, and I’m feeling pretty down.”
- Blue-collar: Referring to working-class jobs that typically require physical labor. “My dad is a blue-collar worker.”
4. “Yellow” Sayings
- Yellow-bellied: A coward. “Don’t call him yellow-bellied; he’s just cautious.”
- Yellow journalism: Sensationalist journalism that focuses on shock value. “That tabloid is full of yellow journalism.”
- Yellow ribbon: A symbol of support or welcome. “The troops returned home to a welcome with yellow ribbons.”
5. “Purple” Phrases
- Purple heart: A symbol of bravery, awarded to military personnel who are wounded in action. “He received a purple heart for his bravery.”
- Purple prose: Overly ornate or elaborate writing. “Her report was full of purple prose.”
- Purple passion: A strong, deep love. “They have a purple passion for each other.”
6. “Pink” Expressions
- Pink slip: A notice of termination or dismissal. “He got a pink slip yesterday.”
- Pink of health: In excellent health. “She looks like she’s in the pink of health.”
- Pink-collar: Referring to jobs that are dominated by women, typically in the service industry. “Her pink-collar job is rewarding and fulfilling.”
7. “Black” Slang
- Blackmail: Threatening to expose secrets unless money or some other form of gain is given. “He was threatened with blackmail.”
- Black market: Illegal trade or activity. “The drugs were sold on the black market.”
- Blackout: A period of darkness, often caused by a power failure. “The city experienced a blackout last night.”
8. “White” Slang Expressions
- White-collar: Referring to professional or office jobs, typically requiring a college degree. “He has a white-collar job as a lawyer.”
- White elephant: An item that is expensive but useless or unwanted. “That new car was a white elephant.”
- White lie: A harmless, trivial lie told to avoid causing offense. “She said she liked the gift, even though it was a white lie.”
9. “Brown” Sayings
- Brown-nosing: Flattering someone in order to gain favor. “Don’t think I’m brown-nosing; I genuinely like your ideas.”
- Brownie points: Points or credit earned by doing something helpful or good. “Volunteering at the shelter earned me some brownie points.”
- Brownout: A temporary reduction in electrical power supply, often to prevent a total blackout. “The power company implemented a brownout to avoid a total blackout.”
10. “Orange” and Other Colors
- Orange county: A wealthy area in Southern California. “They live in Orange County, where the houses are huge.”
- Orange alert: A warning of a potential terrorist attack. “The government issued an orange alert after the discovery of a suspicious package.”
- Purple patch: A period of success or prosperity. “The company experienced a purple patch after the new CEO took over.”
These are just a few examples of the colorful slang phrases that English speakers use. Each phrase carries its own nuance and can add a touch of flavor to your conversations. So the next time you’re feeling red-hot or seeing green, don’t hesitate to use these phrases to express yourself in a uniquely colorful way!