English Idiom – Green-eyed monster.
Meaning – Jealousy or envy. This phrase is often used to describe the feeling of intense jealousy that one might experience when someone else possesses something that they desire, such as a skill, possession, or success.
The idiom originates from Shakespeare’s play “Othello,” where the character Iago says, “O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; it is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.”
The colour green has traditionally been associated with envy, as in the phrase green with envy. The idea of a monster suggests that jealousy can be a destructive and consuming emotion that can control a person’s thoughts and actions. It’s often not a positive emotion to experience or express.
Colours and Emotions:
Different colours can be used to portray different emotions or moods when speaking in English. Here are a few common colour and emotion combinations:
| Colour | Emotion | Idiomatic Example |
| Blue | Sadness | Feel blue |
| Green | Envy | Green-eyed monster |
| Pink | Happy | Tickled pink |
| Red | Anger/Shame | Red in the face |
| White | Shock | White as a ghost |
| Yellow | Scared | Yellow-belly |
Usage:
When could you use this idiom?
- Your ex has a wonderful new partner.
- A neighbour has just taken delivery of a brand new sports car.
- Your colleague at work has been given a generous pay-rise and promotion.
- A rival football team has just won a prestigious cup!
Example:
- “When Augustina saw the stunning dress her sister bought for the party, she felt the green-eyed monster creeping up on her.”
In The News:
Discuss:
- Is there an idiom like this in your country?
What is an idiom?
An idiom is a word or phrase that is not taken literally. An idiom is an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its individual words, but has a separate meaning of its own.
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