Green idioms enrich our language with vivid expressions. They convey emotions, actions, and observations through colorful figurative language. For example, “green with envy” means feeling very jealous, while “green thumb” indicates someone good at gardening.
These idioms, such as “green light” for permission or “green around the gills” for looking ill, provide clear, relatable images. Funny green idioms like “green as a bean” and combined idioms like “green light, red light” add humor and depth.
List of 20 idioms for green
- Green with envy
- Green thumb
- Green light
- Green around the gills
- The grass is always greener
- Green as grass
- Green-eyed monster
- Green belt
- Green shoots
- Greenhorn
- Green revolution
- Green zone
- Green as a bean
- Green behind the ears
- Green light special
- Green-eyed
- Green light, red light
- Seeing red and green
- Red in the face, green at heart
- Red sky at night, green delight
Best Idioms for Colours
Green with envy
Meaning: Very jealous.
Example: I was green with envy when she got the promotion.
Green thumb
Meaning: Good at gardening.
Example: My grandmother has a green thumb; her garden is beautiful.
Green light
Meaning: Permission to proceed.
Example: The project got the green light from management.
Green around the gills
Meaning: Looking ill.
Example: He looked green around the gills after the boat ride.
The grass is always greener
Meaning: Others’ situations seem better.
Example: She always thinks the grass is greener on the other side.
Green as grass
Meaning: Very inexperienced.
Example: The new intern is green as grass but eager to learn.
Green-eyed monster
Meaning: Jealousy.
Example: The green-eyed monster appeared when he saw his friend’s new car.
Green belt
Meaning: Protected area of land.
Example: The city has a large green belt for wildlife.
Green shoots
Meaning: Signs of recovery.
Example: The economy is showing green shoots after the recession.
Greenhorn
Meaning: Newcomer, inexperienced.
Example: As a greenhorn, he made a lot of mistakes.
Green revolution
Meaning: Increase in agricultural production.
Example: The green revolution transformed farming practices.
Green zone
Meaning: Safe area.
Example: The city has a green zone for recreation.
Funny Idioms for Green
Green as a bean
Meaning: Very young.
Example: The kitten is as green as a bean, always playful.
Green behind the ears
Meaning: Naive.
Example: He’s still green behind the ears in this business.
Green light special
Meaning: Exceptional deal.
Example: They have a green light special on shoes this weekend.
Green-eyed
Meaning: Envious.
Example: Her green-eyed look said it all when he announced his engagement.
Idioms for Green and Red
Green light, red light
Meaning: Stop and go.
Example: The project faced green light, red light delays.
Seeing red and green
Meaning: Mixed emotions.
Example: She was seeing red and green during the argument.
Red in the face, green at heart
Meaning: Embarrassed but kind.
Example: He was red in the face, green at heart after the mistake.
Red sky at night, green delight
Meaning: Good weather forecast.
Example: Red sky at night, green delight for tomorrow’s picnic.
What does “green with envy” mean?
“Green with envy” means feeling very jealous. For example, I felt green with envy when my friend bought a new car.
How is “green thumb” used?
“Green thumb” describes someone good at gardening. My grandmother has a green thumb, making her garden beautiful.
Why do we say “green around the gills”?
“Green around the gills” means looking ill. After the boat ride, he looked green around the gills.
Is “green light” an idiom?
Yes, “green light” is an idiom. It means permission to proceed. For example, the project got the green light from management.
