In the pink exp. Be healthy

NOTE: This expression conjures up an image of someone whose cheeks are rosy and healthy looking from the sun

pink slip exp. termination notice from a job.

pinko n. (derogatory) a person of liberal or radical socialist political opinions, communist sympathizer. SEE RED n.

pinky n. one's little finger

tickled pink exp. thrilled

PURPLE

purple heart exp. purple ribbon with a medal given for someone who sustains an injury while in combat

purple passion exp. an intense passion

RED

be like a red rag (BrE) / a red flag (AmE) to a bull exp. to be likely to cause uncontrollable anger

beet red exp. very red (like a beet)

catch someone red-handed (to) exp. to discover someone in the process of committing a dishonest act

In the red exp. In financial trouble (said of a business)

NOTE: Ledger sheets show positive numbers in black ink and negative numbers in red.

SEE: in the black

paint the town red (to) exp. to go partying.

Red n. (derogatory) a communist

NOTE: This slang term was used in an American movie title in the mid-1980's called "Reds" which dealt with communism

red cent (not to have a red cent) exp. not to have a single coin, to be broke

NOTE: It would not be correct to use this expression in a positive sense: to have a red cent

red hot exp. exceptional

red tape exp. excessive and seemingly unnecessary procedures

red herring exp. a fact, an argument, an event, that leads people's attention away from the main thing

red-letter day exp. an important occasion

redneck n. (derogatory) bigot, prejudiced

NOTE: This expression pertains to the rural working class who are said to be intolerant of any race other than white. The term originated because rural people are associated with sunburned necks.

roll out the red carpet for someone (to) exp. to give someone first-class treatment

ORIGIN: When celebrities arrive to an event, it is common to roll out an actual red carpet for them to walk on so as to not dirty their shoes on the ground.

ALSO: to give someone the red-carpet treatment exp. to give someone first- class treatment.

WHITE

bleed somebody white exp. take away all somebody's money

show the white feather exp. act in a cowardly way; show fear

white as a ghost exp. extremely pale, usually due to fear

white as a sheet exp. extremely pale, usually due to fear

white-bread (to be) adj. to be very traditional, ordinary, and unadventurous in one's tastes or values

NOTE: This adjective suggests someone who is very traditional and unadventurous since white bread was considered the typical bread in the homes of most Americans. Within the past twenty years, bread recipes have become more and more daring using innovate ingredients other than traditional flour and water

white elephant exp. a small object of little value that just collects dust in one's home

white elephant sale exp. a sale of articles as a way of collecting money for a good purpose, e.g. to help a hospital or a school

white hope exp. the person who is expected to bring great success

white horse exp. a wave of sea with a white top

white sale exp. a sale of towels, sheets, etc.

white-knuckle exp. denotes tension, suspense, fear

white lie exp. a trivial lie which is used to get someone out of a difficult situation or to spare one's feelings

whites of their eyes (to see the whites of their eyes) exp. to see someone at close range

YELLOW

yellow adj. cowardly

the yellow press exp. (informal) newspapers that deliberately include sensational news items, especially to attract readers

yellow-dog contract (AmE) exp. an employer-employee contract, now illegal, by which an applicant for a job agrees not to be a labour-union member while employed.