Expressions of Colors

Mary did not understand such sentences as "You are yellow." "She is blue today." "She has a green thumb." "She has told a white lie." and so on. So she went to her teacher for help.

Mary: Mrs. Smith, there is a color in each of these sentences. What do they mean?

Mrs. Smith: In everyday English, yellow sometimes means afraid. Blue—sad. A person with a green thumb grows plants well. And a white lie is not a bad one.

Mary: Would you give an example for a white lie?

Mrs. Smith: Certainly. Now I give you some cakes. In fact you don't like them but you won't say so. Instead, you say, "No, thanks. I'm not hungry." That's a white lie.

Mary: Oh, I see. Thank you very much.