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    Learn English > English lessons and exercises > English test #120162: Vocabulary: colours (2)
    > Other English exercises on the same topic: Colours/Colors [Change theme]
    > Similar tests: - Colours - Colours and pictures - Colors: idioms II - Vocabulary: black and/ or white? (1) - Colours - Vocabulary: gems and silver - Idioms and colours - Vocabulary: flowers... everywhere!
    > Double-click on words you don't understand


    Vocabulary: colours (2)


    "REAL" COLOURS...

    Blue, red and yellow are "primary colours" that can be mixed (thus giving secondary colours). If you insist on one colour or on another one, you'll get different hues that can be more or less bright... and more or less pleasant to look at. 

     

     

    A) BLUE: (BLUE + YELLOW= GREEN)/ (BLUE + RED= VIOLET)

     To turn blue   To turn green               
     To turn yellow                To turn brown 

     

    * Vocabulary and Idioms: 

     out of the blue...  once in a blue moon...
     I'm feeling blue... to be black and blue         

     to have to choose between the    

     devil and the deep blue sea...

     to have blue blood 
     to be blue in the face a blue ribbon 
     a blue steak= uncooked a blue collar worker 

     

                                          

        She's feeling blue                                            A blue ribbon                      


        

           To be blue in the face



    In politics: 

    - To be blue (United Kingdom) = in the Conservative party

    - the blue States (USA)  =  held by Democrats

    - the Blues = soldiers belonging to the Union (North) during the Civil War. 

     

    B) RED: (RED + YELLOW= ORANGE)/ (RED + BLUE= VIOLET)

     To redden                to blush/ go red                   
     To go pink                                to grow/ turn pink                    
      ginger red/ auburn          

     

     

                           

           To be in the red                                                   A red carpet                                    

                

                       To be caught red-handed



    * Vocabulary and Idioms: 

     To turn beet-red  blood-red 
     To catch red-handed   To be in the red 
     To be like a red rag/ like a bull        a red card 
     Crimson  scarlet 
     Purple/ violet  mauve
     A red-carpet treatment  red cells 
     A red-letter day Little Red Riding Hood               
     A red-eye flight  Code red
     To see red  a redneck

     

    C) YELLOW: (YELLOW + BLUE= GREEN) (YELLOW + RED= ORANGE) 

     Light yellow/ pale yellow                 Dark green                                
     Canary yellow  Lemon yellow                

    * Some necessary vocabulary to be able to speak about "colours"... 

     Deep + colour olive-green 
     Bright/ vivid + colour                  strong colour
     Dull  plain 
     Colourless  gaudy/ garish/ loud                 
     Drab  speckled 
     To match   = to go with   
     To clash  to colour 
     Colouring  a shade 
     A tint/ a hue      pigment 
     To dye ['dai ]                                   a dye                                          
     To run  to fade 
     Faded  bleach
     To bleach   yellowish 

    *** the suffix -ish ; greenish; reddish... 

     

           
            
           

     

    * A few words of extra vocabulary and idioms: 

     To highlight in yellow              The yellow press                   
     To be yellow bellied  => to be cowardly
     Code Y= code yellow=       urinary  "accidents" in hospitals or schools                   

     

    "SECONDARY" COLOURS, are created by mixing primary colours. They can also be enriched by mixing them too:  

         BLUE+ GREEN= TURQUOISE                BLUE+ VIOLET= INDIGO                      RED+ VIOLET= PURPLE                            RED+ ORANGE= VERMILION    

                                                                                                                                  

    Yes, you're right, there are many, many words and expressions using colours. I'm sure you'll use them and "mix them" pleasantly... I give you the FORCE.                                  



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    1. Tired of asking Lily to pick up her clothes and toys, Lily’s mum got so and screamed, that the little girl finally obeyed.

    2. Last night, Jack took the from L.A to Chicago so that he could be at his meeting at 9 o’clock sharp...

    3. Look at ' MisterSmart '! He’s really a splendid dog and has just won the at the Valley Canine Society.

    4. During the soccer match, the referee gave a to the violent player and even granted a penalty which ended in a splendid goal....

    5. 'You didn’t your jeans on purpose, did you, Lucy? They were new!'

    6. His grandfathers were workers; his father was a technician, and he’s an engineer... That’s great social mobility....

    7. The day when I met Sara is a for both of us and we celebrate it every year...

    8. There are so many bargains that I can’t help buying and buying. I’ll be again and will have problems with my boyfriend...

    9. I should wash those two shirts separately, shouldn’t I? Otherwise, the red colour will and my new white one.

    10. ' Yes, I like this dress, but I’d prefer a lighter of blue, please. 'You're right... It will suit her better, and will the colour of her eyes.'

     

          

      The seven colours of the rainbow... 
       red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.  











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