Color Expressions
1 / 15Test your knowledge of idioms and phrases that use colors!
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What does it mean to 'feel blue'?
About Color Expressions
Give your memory a workout with Color Expressions: 15 multiple-choice questions with a mix of 5 easy, 5 medium, 5 hard questions, free to play right in your browser. Test your knowledge of idioms and phrases that use colors! Expect to spend about 7 minutes; every question comes with an explanation, so you learn something even when you miss.
A few sample questions
1. What does it mean to 'feel blue'?
Answer: To feel sad or depressed
To 'feel blue' means to feel sad or melancholy. The association of blue with sadness has been part of English since at least the 1300s.
2. What does 'seeing red' mean?
Answer: Being extremely angry
'Seeing red' means to become extremely angry or furious. The phrase may relate to the reddening of the face during anger or the red cape used in bullfighting.
3. What does a 'green thumb' refer to?
Answer: A natural talent for gardening
Having a 'green thumb' means having a natural ability to grow plants successfully. The phrase likely comes from the green algae stains that form on the hands of dedicated gardeners.
4. What does 'a white lie' refer to?
Answer: A harmless or trivial lie told to avoid hurting feelings
A 'white lie' is a harmless or trivial lie, especially one told to avoid hurting someone's feelings. White has long been associated with purity and innocence, suggesting the lie is benign.
5. If someone is described as 'green with envy,' what are they feeling?
Answer: Very jealous
'Green with envy' means extremely jealous. Shakespeare popularized the association of green with jealousy, calling it 'the green-eyed monster' in Othello.
Things you'll learn along the way
- 'Caught red-handed' means to be discovered in the act of committing a crime or misdeed. The phrase originally referred to being caught with blood on one's hands after a murder or poaching.
- 'Out of the blue' means something that happens completely unexpectedly or without warning. It is short for 'out of the clear blue sky,' referring to a bolt of lightning from a seemingly cloudless sky.
- 'Paint the town red' means to go out and enjoy oneself flamboyantly, typically involving drinking and partying. One origin story credits the Marquis of Waterford, who literally painted buildings red during a night of revelry in 1837.
Frequently asked questions
Will I lose my progress if I close the page?
Your overall progress — XP, streaks, and badges — is saved in your browser automatically. A quiz that's underway restarts if you leave mid-game, but at about 7 minutes, Color Expressions fits comfortably in one sitting.
How many questions are in Color Expressions?
Color Expressions has 15 multiple-choice questions. Each one has four answer options and an explanation that appears after you answer, so you learn something even when you miss.
Is Color Expressions free to play?
Yes. The entire SeniorBrainGames catalog — including Color Expressions — is free, with no sign-up required, no time limits, and no ads on top of the game. It also works offline once the page has loaded once.
How long does Color Expressions take?
Most players finish Color Expressions in about 7 minutes. You can pause between questions, replay it as often as you like, and there is no penalty for taking your time — answers are explained after you submit them.
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