I share 20 idioms related to the colors yellow and purple. It provides meanings and examples for each idiom, making it easy to understand and remember.
You will find idioms like “yellow-bellied,” which means cowardly, and “purple prose,” referring to overly elaborate writing. Each idiom is explained with a simple definition and a short example to illustrate its use in everyday language.
This collection of idioms will enhance your English idiomatic expressions, help you to use them correctly and effectively.
list of 20 yellow and purple
- Yellow-bellied
- Yellow journalism
- Yellow streak
- Yellow brick road
- Yellow fever
- Mellow yellow
- Yellow card
- Yellow submarine
- Purple prose
- Purple patch
- Yellow brick road
- Purple rain
- Born to the purple
- Purple heart
- Purple with rage
- Purple haze
- Purple cow
- Purple passion
- Catchy purple phrases
- Purple play on words
Best Idioms for Yellow
Yellow-bellied
Meaning: Cowardly.
Example: He didn’t confront the issue because he’s yellow-bellied.

Yellow journalism
Meaning: Sensationalized news.
Example: The article was pure yellow journalism, exaggerating the facts.
Yellow streak
Meaning: A tendency to be cowardly.
Example: He has a yellow streak and won’t take any risks.
Yellow brick road
Meaning: A path to success.
Example: Following his mentor was like walking on a yellow brick road to his career goals.
Funny Idioms for Yellow
Yellow fever
Meaning: A fascination with Asian culture.
Example: He has yellow fever, always excited about Asian cuisines and traditions.
Mellow yellow
Meaning: Relaxed and easy-going.
Example: After the vacation, he was feeling mellow yellow, not stressed at all.
Yellow card
Meaning: A warning or caution.
Example: She got a yellow card from her boss for being late.
Yellow submarine
Meaning: A quirky or unusual situation.
Example: Working with him is like being in a yellow submarine, always unexpected.
Idioms for Yellow and Purple
Purple prose
Meaning: Overly elaborate writing.
Example: His novel was full of purple prose, making it hard to read.
Purple patch
Meaning: A period of success.
Example: She’s in a purple patch, winning every match.
Yellow brick road
Meaning: A path to success.
Example: Following his mentor was like walking on a yellow brick road to his career goals.
Purple rain
Meaning: A series of fortunate events.
Example: Ever since he got that job, it’s been nothing but purple rain.
Best Idioms for Purple
Born to the purple
Meaning: Born into royalty.
Example: He was born to the purple, with privileges from birth.
Purple heart
Meaning: Military decoration for bravery.
Example: He was awarded the Purple Heart for his bravery in combat.
Purple with rage
Meaning: Extremely angry.
Example: She was purple with rage when she found out about the betrayal.
Purple haze
Meaning: A state of confusion or euphoria.
Example: After the concert, he was in a purple haze, enjoying the moment.
Funny Idioms for Purple
Purple cow
Meaning: Something remarkable.
Example: That new gadget is a purple cow in the tech industry.
Purple passion
Meaning: Intense enthusiasm.
Example: She pursued her goals with purple passion.
Purple play on words
Meaning: A clever use of words.
Example: The comedian’s jokes were full of purple plays on words, making the audience laugh.
1. What are common yellow idioms?
Common yellow idioms include “yellow-bellied,” which means cowardly, and “yellow streak,” referring to a tendency to be cowardly. These idioms are used to describe fear or a lack of courage in various situations.
2. How are purple idioms used in literature?
Purple idioms like “purple prose” and “purple patch” are often used in literature to describe elaborate writing and periods of success, respectively. “Purple prose” refers to overly descriptive writing, while a “purple patch” signifies a time of great achievement.
3. Can idioms combine yellow and purple?
Yes, idioms like “yellow brick road” and “purple rain” show how these colors can be combined. “Yellow brick road” represents a path to success, and “purple rain” indicates a series of fortunate events.