I share 20 idioms with “black” in them, explaining their meanings and providing examples. These idioms cover various contexts, from finance to emotions, and are widely used in the English language.
I begin with the best idioms, followed by funny ones, idioms specifically for black people, and idioms combining black with red or white.
These expressions enhances your grasp of figurative language and adds depth to your communication skills.
list of 20 idioms for black
- In the black
- Black and white
- Black sheep
- Black tie
- Pitch black
- Black mood
- Black comedy
- Black eye
- Black magic
- Black market
- Black hole
- Black book
- In the red
- Black and blue
- Black mark
- Red flag
- White lie
- Black and white thinking
- White knight
- Black and white issue
Best Idioms for Black
In the black
Meaning: Profitable.
Example: Our company has been in the black since last quarter.
Black and white
Meaning: Clear and simple.
Example: The contract was black and white, no room for confusion.
Black sheep
Meaning: Outcast.
Example: He’s the black sheep of the family.
Black tie
Meaning: Formal event.
Example: The gala was a black-tie affair.
Funny Idioms for Black
Pitch black
Meaning: Completely dark.
Example: The cave was pitch black inside.
Black mood
Meaning: Very unhappy.
Example: She’s in a black mood today.
Black comedy
Meaning: Dark humor.
Example: The movie is a black comedy, filled with grim jokes.
Black eye
Meaning: Bruised eye.
Example: He got a black eye from the fight.
Idioms for Black People
Black magic
Meaning: Witchcraft.
Example: They feared she practiced black magic.
Black market
Meaning: Illegal trade.
Example: The items were sold on the black market.
Black hole
Meaning: A large void.
Example: My purse is like a black hole.
Black book
Meaning: List of enemies.
Example: Don’t get into his black book.
Idioms for Black and Red
In the red
Meaning: In debt.
Example: We’ve been in the red for months.
Black and blue
Meaning: Bruised.
Example: He was black and blue after the accident.
Black mark
Meaning: Stain on reputation.
Example: The scandal left a black mark on his career.
Red flag
Meaning: Warning sign.
Example: Her evasive answers were a red flag.
Idioms for Black and White
White lie
Meaning: Harmless lie.
Example: I told a white lie to avoid hurting her feelings.
Black and white thinking
Meaning: Simplistic view.
Example: Her black-and-white thinking ignores the nuances.
White knight
Meaning: Heroic person.
Example: He was a white knight in the crisis.
Black and white issue
Meaning: Clear-cut.
Example: The rules are black and white on this matter.
1. What does “in the black” mean in finance?
“In the black” means a business is profitable. It indicates a positive financial status.
2. How is “black mood” used in a sentence?
“Black mood” refers to a very unhappy state. For example, “She’s in a black mood today.”
3. Can you explain “black sheep” with an example?
“Black sheep” describes an outcast. For instance, “He’s the black sheep of the family.”
