16 Idioms for Green
Introduction
Have you ever noticed how the color green appears in different phrases and sayings? In English, idioms can express more than just their literal meaning, and many contain the word "green." This article dives into 16 unique idioms that include "green," enhancing your vocabulary and understanding of everyday English expressions.
Hook with a Relatable Example
Imagine you’re at a park with friends, and someone mentions they feel a bit “green with envy” because another friend just got a new bike. Suddenly, you wonder: what does that mean? This example highlights how idioms are often used in casual conversation, making them essential for language learners to grasp fully.
Explain What Idioms Are
Idioms are phrases where the meaning isn’t directly linked to the individual words. For example, saying someone is “under the weather” doesn’t literally mean they are beneath the precipitation; rather, it expresses that they feel ill. Understanding idioms can help you sound more like a native speaker and make conversations much richer.
Focus on Idioms Related to "Green"
This article focuses specifically on idioms that incorporate the word "green." From expressions about jealousy to freshness, these idioms convey a range of emotions and ideas.
You can expect to learn 16 idioms with clear explanations, examples, and exercises to enhance your understanding. Let’s get started!
1. Green with envy
Meaning: Feeling jealous or envious.
In a Sentence: She felt green with envy when her friend won the contest.
Example 1: After seeing his colleague get promoted, he was green with envy.
Example 2: When she saw the beautiful dress on sale, she became green with envy at her friend’s find.
Other ways to say it: Jealous, envious
2. Green thumb
Meaning: A natural talent for gardening or growing plants.
In a Sentence: My grandmother has a green thumb; her garden is always full of flowers.
Example 1: If you want to grow vegetables, you’ll need a bit of a green thumb.
Example 2: Ever since she started gardening, she’s discovered she has a green thumb.
Other ways to say it: Gardener, plant enthusiast
3. Green light
Meaning: Permission to proceed with a project or action.
In a Sentence: The team finally got the green light to start the new project.
Example 1: Once we receive the green light, we can begin the renovations.
Example 2: The manager gave us the green light to hire more staff.
Other ways to say it: Go-ahead, approval
4. Green around the gills
Meaning: Looking pale or sick, often due to nausea.
In a Sentence: He looked a bit green around the gills after the wild ride at the amusement park.
Example 1: If you’re feeling green around the gills, maybe you should sit down for a bit.
Example 2: After eating too much, she felt green around the gills.
Other ways to say it: Nauseous, ill
5. Green light to something
Meaning: To give approval for something to happen.
In a Sentence: The board of directors gave the green light to the new marketing strategy.
Example 1: We’re waiting for the CEO’s green light to start production.
Example 2: The committee finally gave their green light to the proposal.
Other ways to say it: Authorization, endorsement
6. The grass is always greener on the other side
Meaning: People often think others have it better, but this is not necessarily true.
In a Sentence: He always thinks he’ll be happier elsewhere; he believes that the grass is always greener on the other side.
Example 1: Sometimes, when I’m unhappy with my job, I remind myself that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
Example 2: She keeps comparing her life to others’, forgetting that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
Other ways to say it: Comparative dissatisfaction, envy of others’ situations
7. Green-eyed monster
Meaning: Jealousy, particularly in a romantic context.
In a Sentence: The green-eyed monster reared its head when he noticed her chatting with another man.
Example 1: Jealousy is a dangerous emotion; the green-eyed monster can ruin friendships.
Example 2: She couldn’t help but feel the green-eyed monster taking over when she spotted her ex with someone new.
Other ways to say it: Jealousy, envy
8. Green as grass
Meaning: Inexperienced or naive.
In a Sentence: He’s green as grass, so it’s understandable that he made mistakes.
Example 1: The new employee is green as grass; he’ll learn quickly though.
Example 2: Don’t worry, she’ll gain experience; everyone starts green as grass.
Other ways to say it: Inexperienced, naive
9. In the green
Meaning: Financially healthy or profitable.
In a Sentence: Our company is in the green after launching the new product.
Example 1: We finally turned a profit and are now in the green for the first time.
Example 2: Staying in the green is crucial for our growth.
Other ways to say it: Profitable, flourishing
10. Green officer
Meaning: An official or employee in charge of environmental protection.
In a Sentence: The company hired a green officer to improve its sustainability practices.
Example 1: The green officer implemented new recycling programs at the office.
Example 2: He was appointed as a green officer to lead the company’s eco-friendly initiatives.
Other ways to say it: Environmental manager, sustainability officer
11. The whole nine yards (go the whole nine yards)
Meaning: To make every possible effort or to do something completely.
In a Sentence: If we’re going to promote this event, we need to go the whole nine yards.
Example 1: She didn’t just paint; she went the whole nine yards by decorating the entire room.
Example 2: When preparing for the presentation, he went the whole nine yards with props and visuals.
Other ways to say it: Full effort, complete
12. Green solutions
Meaning: Eco-friendly or sustainable solutions.
In a Sentence: The community is looking for green solutions to reduce waste.
Example 1: We need to explore green solutions for our energy problems.
Example 2: The team developed several green solutions for reducing plastic use.
Other ways to say it: Eco-friendly strategies, sustainable practices
13. Green spaces
Meaning: Areas of vegetation or open spaces in urban settings.
In a Sentence: Cities need more green spaces for the health of their residents.
Example 1: The park is one of the few green spaces left in the city.
Example 2: Developing green spaces can improve air quality in urban areas.
Other ways to say it: Parks, natural areas
14. Going green
Meaning: Adopting environmentally friendly practices.
In a Sentence: Many companies are going green to attract eco-conscious customers.
Example 1: She decided to start going green by recycling and using less plastic.
Example 2: The initiative is all about going green and reducing our carbon footprint.
Other ways to say it: Eco-friendly, sustainable living
15. Out of the green
Meaning: No longer profitable or financially healthy.
In a Sentence: After the financial crisis, many businesses found themselves out of the green.
Example 1: The restaurant struggled and was soon out of the green.
Example 2: Once known for its strong profits, the store was now out of the green.
Other ways to say it: Unprofitable, in the red
16. To be green-lighted
Meaning: To receive approval to proceed.
In a Sentence: They were green-lighted to move ahead with the project.
Example 1: The app was finally green-lighted for launch.
Example 2: After months of planning, they were green-lighted by the investors.
Other ways to say it: Approved, authorized
Exercise 1 – Fill in the Blanks
- She felt __ after her friend got a better job.
- I think my neighbor has a __; her garden looks amazing.
- Before we build the new playground, we need the __.
- After a long night, he looked __ at breakfast.
- The team got the __ to start the new campaign.
- Sometimes you think you want someone else’s life, but the __ is not always true.
- Jealousy can feel like a __ when you see someone you care about with someone else.
- New interns can be __ when entering the workforce for the first time.
- After making some profitable changes, our startup is finally in the __.
- To make significant changes, we hired a __ for our company.
- We need to go the __ to ensure this event is a success.
- Many towns are looking for __ in their development plans.
- More people are __ to help save the environment.
- The city needs to create more __ for its residents.
- She realized the event was __ after the extensive costs.
- Once we get our project __, we can work on it together.
Answer Key:
- green with envy
- green thumb
- green light
- green around the gills
- green light
- grass is always greener on the other side
- green-eyed monster
- green as grass
- green
- green officer
- whole nine yards
- green solutions
- going green
- green spaces
- out of the green
- green-lighted
Exercise 2 – Multiple Choice Quiz
What does “green with envy” mean?
- A) Happy
- B) Jealous
- C) Excited
- D) Concerned
Correct Answer: B
Which idiom means experiencing nausea?
- A) Green-eyed monster
- B) Green as grass
- C) Green around the gills
- D) Green thumb
Correct Answer: C
To “go green” means to:
- A) Make something more colorful
- B) Adopt environmentally friendly practices
- C) Gain financial success
- D) Be inexperienced
Correct Answer: B
What is meant by "the grass is always greener on the other side?"
- A) People have better lives than you
- B) Grass is healthier on the other side
- C) Grass needs more water
- D) Green is a preferable color
Correct Answer: A
Which phrase means you have permission to proceed?
- A) Green-eyed monster
- B) Green light
- C) Green spaces
- D) Green thumb
Correct Answer: B
Someone who has a natural talent for growing plants is said to have:
- A) A green light
- B) A green thumb
- C) Green spaces
- D) A green officer
Correct Answer: B
- When something is “in the green”, it refers to being:
- A) Sick
- B) Profitable
- C) Jealous
- D) Overwhelmed
Correct Answer: B
7 Tips to Remember 16 Idioms for Green
Create Flashcards: Write each idiom on one side and its meaning on the other.
Use in Context: Try to incorporate idioms into your daily conversations or writing.
Watch Movies/TV Shows: Pay attention to how idioms are used in dialogue.
Group Study: Practice with a friend or language partner to test each other on idioms.
Visualize: Make mental images of what each idiom means to help remember them better.
Keep a Journal: Write sentences or stories including the idioms you learn.
- Be Consistent: Review regularly to reinforce your memory of each idiom.
Conclusion
In this article, we explored 16 idioms related to the word "green," ranging from feelings of jealousy to sustainability practices. Learning idioms enriches your vocabulary and enhances communication skills. Try to practice and use 2–3 of these idioms today, and watch your English conversations become more colorful!
