White Idioms
Add colour to your language using these idioms related with 'white'.
White elephant A term used for a useless possession, something that is of no use.
The term derives from the sacred white elephants kept by Southeast Asian monarchs in Burma, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. To possess a white elephant was regarded (and is still regarded in Thailand and Burma) as a sign that the monarch reigned with justice and power, and that the kingdom was blessed with peace and prosperity. Because the animals were considered sacred and laws protected them from labor, receiving a gift of a white elephant from a monarch was simultaneously a blessing and a curse. It was a blessing because the animal was sacred and a sign of the monarch's favour, and a curse because the recipient now had an expensive-to-maintain animal he could not give away and could not put to much practical use.
Перевод: громоздкий подарок, бесполезная вещь.
Пример: It will be the white elephant in your room all your life.
A white lie A 'little' or 'harmless' lie told in order to be polite and avoid hurting someone’s feelings, or do something that is not seriously wrong.
Перевод: невинный обман.
Пример: I just wanted to get out of work so I told my boss a little white lie, and said I had a doctor’s appointment.
White collar A term used for office workers that traditionally wear white shirts with a collar.
Перевод: 'белый воротничок', работник умственного труда.
Пример: We have a lot of vacancies for white-collar workers at the moment, but hardly anyone is applying for them!
White as a ghost Used to describe someone who is very pale because of pain, fear, shock or illness.
Перевод: белый как мел.
Пример: I didn’t think the movie was that scary, but my sister was as white as a ghost!
As white as a sheet When someone is in a state of great fear or anxiety.
Перевод: бледный как полотно.
Пример: Are you alright? You’re as white as a sheet, what’s the matter?
Whitewash something To cover up or gloss over faults or wrongdoings.
Перевод: скрыть недостатки.
Пример: The government was accused of trying to whitewash the scandal over charity pay-outs.
Raise a white flag This indicates that one has accepted defeat and surrenders to the other party.
Перевод: поднять белый флаг.
Пример: There was such a heated debate going on in the conference room, they wouldn’t back down! I just raised my white flag in the end.
In black and white
In writing, especially an agreement, contract, or other formal document.
Перевод: в письменной форме, 'черным по белому'.
Пример: It's there in black and white that employees caught taking office supplies will be fired immediately.
