Each example below has an
idiom with a color word. Can you guess the meaning of each idiom
from the context? Try to match each idiom (1-6) with its
definition (a-f).
I spent too much money this month and don't
have enough money in the bank to pay my bills. I am
in the red.
He is very careful with his money. He
never overspends and so he is always
in the black.
I didn't feel like going to the party with
John, but I didn't want to hurt his feelings, so I told
a white lie and said I was
busy.
Last month I lost my job and my boyfriend
broke up with me, so I was really
feeling blue.
I was
green with envy when I learned that
Jim won first prize in the lucky draw - he got a free trip to Hawaii!
The news of her death came
out of the blue. No one
was expecting it because she was still so young.
Idiom
Definition
1. in the red
a. to feel sad
2. a
white lie
b. having money
3. to
feel blue
c. jealous of someone
else's good fortune
4.
green with envy
d. unexpectedly
5.
out of the blue
e. a lie that doesn't
cause any harm
6. in the black
f. in debt
"When
I am
feeling blue,
I don't want to do anything. I just want to stay in bed."
More Practice:
A. Each sentence below
has an idiom, but there is something wrong with each idiom. Can
you find and correct each one?
1. I got the news out
from the blue that she was getting married!
2. She was green from
envy when her sister won the beauty contest.
3. Ichiro doesn't
have to worry about money. He's always in black.
4. Hana was feeling
the blue because no one paid her any attention.
5. My sister enjoys
shopping very much. She is always in red by the end of each month.
6. I told a black
lie. I didn't want to attend the party so I said I was busy.
B.
Answer each question with yes
or no.
1. I just got a
promotion and I have met a great guy. Should I feel blue?
2. Jane's baby is not
really pretty, but I told her that her baby was sweet and cute.
Did I tell a white lie?
3. We know John is
getting married next month, so when we received an invitation to his
wedding last week, did the news come out of the blue?
4. I don't have
enough money to pay for my credit card expenses, am I in the black?
5. I truly felt happy
for my sister when she won the singing contest. Was I green with
envy?
