B2+ FCEX2 „Green” Idioms
If you’re learning English, and you want to understand perfectly, then you’ll need to learn idioms and idiomatic language. Look at these „Green idioms”. As always with our FCE-level idioms, we recommend you focus on understanding them, and don’t worry about using them in speaking.
„Out of the woods”
Meaning: Free from danger or difficulty.
- Last year, the business lost a lot of money. Now, we’re making a lot more money. However, we still have a lot of debts, so we’re not out of the woods yet.
„Go Green”
Meaning: Start behaving in a more environmentally friendly way.
- I’ve decided to go green. I’m separating my rubbish and I’m going to buy an EV.
„Turn Over A New Leaf”
Meaning: To completely change your behaviour and lifestyle (from bad to good)
- After he came out of prison, “Big Wojtek”, decided to turn over a new leaf. He wanted to get a job, find a partner, and stay out of trouble.
„A Breath Of Fresh Air”
Meaning: To be new, open, refreshing, and positive. We are happy to see it!
- The new team member is like a breath of fresh air. She’s young, funny, friendly, and has got lots of new ideas.
„Weather The Storm”
Meaning: To go through a difficult experience or period and… survive. You continue, and go on…
- The Financial Crisis in 2008-9 was really hard for us. But, we weathered the storm and we’re still here today!
„Barking up the wrong tree”
Meaning: To have the wrong idea about something. change your behaviour and lifestyle (from bad to good)
- The police think Tim is the killer, but they’re barking up the wrong tree. Tim was with me all the time.
- My car was making a funny noise for weeks. I thought the problem was the brakes, but I was barking up the wrong tree. The mechanic said it was the engine.
„Like a fish out of water”
Meaning: To feel uncomfortable, out of place, or in unfamiliar surroundings
- I’ve played and watched football my whole life, so I felt like a fish out of water at the rugby match.
„Money doesn’t grow on trees”
Meaning: Money is limited so don’t waste it
- Turn off the lights if you’re not in the room. It (Money) doesn’t grow on trees, you know?
„A Grassroots Movement”
Meaning: A political or social organisation that grew from the bottom up. It was created by 'ordinary people’.
- „Black Lives Matter” is a grassroots movement that has developed into a global phenomenon.
„Greenwashing„
Meaning: A business 'pretends’ to 'go green’ in order to look more modern or attract customers.
- Big oil companies like BP have been accused of greenwashing because they sponsor „green” events but at the same time, they are destroying the planet by drilling for oil.
