您在同美国人交谈时，可能很快就会听到他们使用以下这些和颜色有关的习语。

Red tape，意指繁文缛节

含义：一个错综复杂的官僚机构里的繁文缛节。
例句：“When my father was rushed to the hospital, the head nurse cut through all the red tape so that he could get to see a doctor immediately.”（当我父亲被紧急送到医院抢救时，护士长简化了所有繁琐程序，让他能马上接受医生检查。）

See red，意指火冒三丈

含义：生气、发怒。
例句： “My mother sees red when I come home late.”（如果我回家太晚，我妈妈就会火冒三丈。）

Out of the blue，意指出乎意料

含义：出其不意、出乎意料。
例句：“We were walking down the street when from out of the blue an old classmate we hadn’t seen for years appeared.”（我们正走在街上，突然冒出了一个多年不见的老同学。）

Once in a blue moon，意指千载难逢

含义：百年不遇、千载难逢。
例句：“Jean’s parents encouraged her to accept the job with the prestigious company in New York. They told her that a job offer like that comes along only once in a blue moon.”（吉恩的父母鼓励她接受纽约那家知名公司的聘用。他们对她说，这样的工作机会千载难逢）。

Tickled pink，意指非常高兴

含义：非常高兴、非常开心。
例句：“My niece got her first job today. She’s so pleased with herself. She’s tickled pink.”（我侄女找到了她的第一份工作。她为自己感到高兴，开心极了。）

In the red，意指赤字

含义：亏损，不盈利。
例句：“Some years my business makes a profit, but other years I’m in the red.”（我的生意在一些年份能够盈利，在其他年份则出现亏损。）

更多资料

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Color your conversations with the many shades of American speech 

Most issues aren’t black or white, meaning they are not always clear-cut, but it’s clear that Americans use colors in their everyday speech to convey ideas and emotions.

If you talk to an American, it probably won’t be long before he or she uses one of these color-based idioms.

Red tape

What it means: The unnecessary paperwork and procedures of a complicated bureaucracy.
In conversation: “When my father was rushed to the hospital, the head nurse cut through all the red tape so that he could get to see a doctor immediately.”

See red

What it means: To get angry.
In conversation: “My mother sees red when I come home late.”

Out of the blue

What it means: Suddenly and unexpectedly.
In conversation: “We were walking down the street when from out of the blue an old classmate we hadn’t seen for years appeared.”

Once in a blue moon

What it means: Very rarely.
In conversation: “Jean’s parents encouraged her to accept the job with the prestigious company in New York. They told her that a job offer like that comes along only once in a blue moon.”

Tickled pink

What it means: Really pleased; very happy.
In conversation: “My niece got her first job today. She’s so pleased with herself. She’s tickled pink.”

In the red

What it means: Losing money; not making a profit.
In conversation: “Some years my business makes a profit, but other years I’m in the red.”

Learn more

ShareAmerica features materials on learning American English. Explore everyday conversations or learn idioms related to sports, weather and food.

The American English website has a variety of free resources for learners and teachers of English. The American English Facebook page posts learning materials for English language learners daily.