Special Expressions with Colors: Special Expressions with Colors (#1)

Dennis Oliver

#1: black

Besides referring to certain shades or hues that everyone
knows, colors are also used in many idiomatic expressions.

Here are a few common expressions using the color black:

expression		meaning
be black and blue		covered with bruises

blackball (verb)		prevent someone from joining a group by secretly voting against him or her

blackboard		chalkboard (the traditional color was black or dark gray)

a black eye		an eye that has been injured; (the skin around it is dark-colored)

black coffee		strong coffee served without milk

blackhead		a pimple (skin blemish)

black ice		ice that is dark in color and dangerous because it is difficult to see

be in the black		show a profit

blacklist		list of people considered to be dangerous or undesirable

blackmail		force someone to pay money to keep something undesirable about him / her secret

black market		place where money or merchandise is sold illegally at uncontrolled prices

black out		(1) faint or lose consciousness; (2) extinguish all outside lights and cover all windows

black sheep		scoundrel; undesirable person

blacksmith		someone who makes and repairs items made of iron, especially horse shoes

have / get something down in black and white		have / get something recorded in writing