Richard-Business Eng
职业教师
COLOURLESS and COLOURFUL IDIOMS
Colourless idioms are simply idioms that use the word colour, colourful or colourless, and do not name or use a specific colour.

Off colour
Meaning: When someone is not feeling their best, quite ill or uneasy
Example: You look off colour today. I think you should see a doctor.

Meaning: A remark that includes inappropriate language
Example: I couldn't listen to his off-colour remarks because they were so disgusting, rude and disrespectful.

A colourful report/article
Meaning:  Refers to a report/article that is flowery or exaggerated or has a biased point of view
Example:  The colourful burglary report had to be rewritten when it was discovered that the police officer who wrote it was a relative of the family.
Example: The article that described the new president was so colourful that it was hard to believe any of the description was true.

See someone’s true colours
Meaning: To understand someone’s actual character, often for the first time
Example: She promised to pay me the money she owed me, but after hearting the same promise so many times, I realized I was seeing her true colours.

See the colour of someone’s money
Meaning: To prove that someone has enough money for something
Example: The antiques dealer wouldn’t let me touch the items I’d agreed to purchase until he saw the colour of my money.
Example: You said you would pay me, so let me see the colour of your money (show me the money) (pay me now).

With flying colours
Meaning: To complete something with great distinction and excellent results
Example:  I didn’t think she would do so well in the final exam, but she passed it with flying colours!

To be kept someone in the dark
Meaning: Keeping a secret from someone, shielding/hiding the truth
Example:  He kept everyone in the dark about the true extent of his illness.
Example: Apple always keeps everyone in the dark until they release their latest model of their smartphone.


NOTE: Throughout this discussion I have used the British spelling of the word colour. The American spelling 'color' is equally acceptable (although I know there are a few good Brits who would vehemently disagree :)
2016年11月22日 16:30
评论 · 3
2

Suade...

The adjective colourful/colorful can have two connotations. It can be complimentary or derogatory/insulting.

In the latter case, some synonyms include: dramatic, expressive, unrealistic, unusual, flaky.

So when President Obama described Duerte as colorful, he may have meant either or both connotations, and he left it up to the listener to decide which connotation he may have meant.

Great example Suade...


Sudeep...

Who knows? Who knows why the Americans changed the original spelling?

My best guess, as more easily seen with other changes such as recognise to recognize and analyse to analyze, is that the American spellings attempted to be more phonetic.

Personally, if I were to spell the word phonetically, I would spell it as "culler" since that's the way it sounds in North America :)

2016年11月22日
1

Thank you @Richard for some colorful idioms:) I hope it will make the sentence more colorful.

BTW, Richard,  What is the mystery between not using "U" in American "Color"? Do you think by not using U in "colour" makes the "colour" less "colorful" !:) I'm sorry for this stupid question:)

2016年11月22日
Thank you very much. These are very useful. I've learnt  "colourful idiom" very recently. It was on the news headlines two months ago when U.S president Barack Obama described the Filipino president Duterte as " a colourful guy".
2016年11月22日
Richard-Business Eng
语言技能
中文, 英语, 法语
学习语言
中文
你或许会喜欢的文章
The Magical World of Brazilian Folklore: Legendary Characters by Region
16 赞 · 7 评论
Why Learning a Second Language Pays Off (Even During Hard Times)
33 赞 · 13 评论
Describing Your Job Role and Responsibilities in English
29 赞 · 6 评论
更多文章