Words whose first association is with the arts are also often used metaphorically.

The writer paints his hero in a fascinating light. Minor characters are more shadowy but they are also depicted quite powerfully even though the focus is, inevitably, on the two central characters. These are portrayed with great sensitivity. The heroine is particularly colourful and we see how her character is shaped and moulded by events. Some say the author illustrates his motifs in a black-and-white fashion but the images he creates to illuminate the evils of slavery will remain with me forever.

 

 

Exercises

Are the following statements true or false according to the texts in A and B?

1. Most modern art is amusing.

2. Attitudes to modern art are changing in Britain.

3. People may be becoming more sophisticated or art may be becoming simpler.

4. Not many people visit modern art exhibitions in London these days.

5. People have often found it hard to accept new trends in art.

6. People don't have so much exposure to art these days.

 

Choose a word or phrase from A or B to complete these sentences.

1. Although some people liked the exhibition there were far more than enthusiasts among the reviewers.

2. When the price of cinema tickets doubled, the public simply and audiences declined dramatically.

3. Politicians have accused TV companies of their news broadcasts with the result that there is less public interest in political issues.

4. Every year there seems to be some new food that is quickly forgotten when the next thing comes on the scene.

5. Rick managed to his wife's for several years before she found out about his affair.

6. After spending such a long time camping, they have become to the discomfort of living in such a confined space.

 

 

3 Look at the twenty adjectives in C. Divide them into categories:

usually positive associations usually negative associations

negative or positive associations

 

4 Choose one of the words from each pair of opposites in C and think of a work of art (of any kind) that you could apply it to. Write a sentence explaining why you think it applies.

Example I think that the poetry of the 17th century English poet, John Milton, could be called highbrow because you need to be able to understand his classical allusions.

 

Circle the correct underlined word to complete these sentences.

1. I think that the artist's cartoons are usually rather highbrow/dreary/ l owbrow as they are intended to appeal to a mass audience.

2. When an artist sent in an ordinary red brick to an exhibition, no one was sure whether it was impenetrable/run-of-the - mill/tongue-in-cheek or intended as a serious statement.

3. Although these cave paintings were made thousands of years ago they are in some ways very primitive/pedestrian/sophisticated.

4. I find those painter's pictures of dull grey street scenes rather dreary/peerless/dazzling.

5. The design on that china plate is earnest/exquisite/transparent - however did they manage to paint such fine detail?

6. Although his photographs are quite challenging/evocative/intriguing, it is worth making the effort to understand them.

Iii. idioms from Colors

Unit 17

Reading

Read the story. Then discuss the questions.

IN THE RED

The letter came out of the blue! I wasn't expecting it. But there it was in black and white, signed by the bank manager. I had no money in my checking account. I was in the red.

I couldn't believe it. So I went to see the manager. We looked at the problem together. The bank had made a mistake. It had put ten dollars into my account instead of one thousand dollars!

Because it was the bank's mistake, there was no delay reopening my account. The manager cut through all the red tape. Now I had money in my account. And I had the green light to write checks again.

 

1. Does in the red mean to have enough money or to not have enough money? When a company is in the red, is it in trouble?

2. When you learn something out of the blue, is it a surprise?

3. If doing something takes a lot of red tape, is it easy to do? Sometimes getting papers from the government takes a lot of red tape. Can you think of some examples of things that take red tape?

 

Meanings

Each example has an idiom with a color word. Read the example carefully to find the meaning of the idiom. Then look at the definitions that follow the examples. Write the idiom next to its definition.

The black market

You can go to the bank to change dollars. But if you change money on the black market, you often get more money for each dollar.

 

To feel blue

I was alone on my birthday and feeling blue. Then Anny called and invited me out, and I felt better.

 

The green light

The bank has given us the money. Now we have the green light to start the project.

 

Green with envy

I was green with envy when I learned that Luis had won a trip to Europe.

 

In black and white

I couldn't believe it, but there it was in black and white, as clear as it could be. The letter said that I had won a trip to Europe.

 

In the black

Theo earns a thousand dollars a week. He doesn't have to worry about having enough money. He's always in the black.

 

In the red

I never have enough money to pay my bills. I'm always in the red.

Out of the blue

The news of the factory's closing came out of the blue. No one was expecting it.

 

 

The red carpet

When the movie star visited, our town rolled out the red carpet. There was a parade and a special dinner in her honor.

 

Red tape

Every time you want to get a new passport, you have to go through a lot of red tape. It's not easy and it takes a lot of time.

 

A white lie

I didn't feel like going out. So I told a white lie, and I said I didn't feel well.

 

1. by surprise, unexpectedly

2. very clear and easy to understand

3. owing money, in debt

4. complicated official procedures and forms

5. the okay to start something

6. special honors for a special or important person

7. the market not controlled by the government, where things are sold in private and often against the law

8. something that is not true but that causes no harm

9. jealous of someone else's good fortune

10. to feel sad

11. having money

 

Practice

A.

Answer each question with yes or no. Explain your answer.

 

1. My boss just gave me a raise in salary. Am I feeling blue?

2. I took my driver's test and passed. Then in less than half an hour I had my driver's license in my hand. Was there a lot of red tape?

3. My friend Jack asked if I liked his new purple tie. I didn't really like it, but I said that the tie was nice. Did I tell a white lie?

4. I always like to keep some extra money in the bank for an emergency. Am I in the black?

5. My boss said he had to talk to two other managers about my project. Did I get the green light?

6. They said it was in the contract, but I never saw it. Was the contract in black and white?

7. If I write this check, I won't have enough money in my account to cover it. Will I be in the red?

8. We had no idea at all. He told us he was leaving the company. Was the news out of the blue?

9. When the famous general came to town last year, we even had a special parade and fireworks show. Did the town roll out the red carpet?

10 When I exchange foreign currency at the bank, do I get it on the black market?

11 Sam wanted the job as manager of the store, but another employee got it. Might Sam be green with envy?

 

 

B.

Each example has the correct idiom, but there is one error with each idiom. Find the error and correct it.

1. I got the news from the blue.

2. The rules for the contest were in black or white.

3. They were green for envy when their friend won the lottery.

4. Tony loves to shop, so he is always on the red.

5. You must go through a lot of red tapes to get a visa in some countries.

6. They rolled out the red carpets when he came.

7. Yuri does not have a problem with money. He's in black.

8. Pam was feeling in blue because she had to stay home.

9. I told white lie. I said I couldn't come to the party because I had other plans.

10. The city has the green lights to build a new highway.

11. The tourists bought some money on the black.

 

Conversation

Practice each conversation with a partner.

SITUATION 1

Tom is talking to his friend.

Tom: I just got a call from my brother.

Carol: How is he?

Tom: Out of the blue he told me he just got married.

SITUATION 2

Jenny is feeling lonely.

Lucia: You don't look very happy, Jenny.

Jenny: I'm just feeling blue. I guess I feel lonely.

Lucia: Don't feel lonely. I'm your friend! That's why I came to take you out.

 

 

SITUATION 3

Nancy is talking to her husband.

Nancy: Let's go to a nice restaurant for supper.

Matt: Is there something special to celebrate?

Nancy: No, but I just finished doing our expenses for the

month, and we're in the black. Let's spend some of our extra money.

 

 

On Your Own

Work with a partner. Choose three idioms. Write a short conversation for each idiom. Then act out your conversations.

Discussion

 

Work with a partner or in a small group. Do the following activities.

 

1. The idioms in this unit all use color words. What other idioms with color words in English do you know?

2. Are there idioms with colors in your native language? Are any idioms like the ones in English?

3. We use out of the blue when something unexpected happens. Tell a story using this idiom.