green (redirected from greenly)

*green as grass

very green. (*Also: as ∼.) His face turned as green as grass just before he vomited.

See also: grass

*green with envy

Fig. appearing jealous; appearing envious. (*Typically: be ~ become ∼.) My new car made my neighbor green with envy. Bill was green with envy that I won first place.

See also: envy

*sure as God made little green apples and *sure as eggs is eggs; *sure as fate; *sure as I'm stand-ing here; *sure as you live

Rur. absolutely certain. (*Also: as ~.) I'm as sure as God made little green apples that he's the one. I'm right, as sure as you live!

See also: apple, god, little, made, sure

A hedge between keeps friendship green.

Prov. Your friendship will flourish if you and your friend respect each other's privacy. Lynne and I are the best of friends, but we often like to spend time apart. A hedge between keeps friendship green.

See also: friendship, hedge, keep

green stuff

Fig. money; U.S. paper money. I've run out of green stuff. Can you loan me a few bucks?

See also: stuff

have a green thumb

Fig. to have the ability to grow plants well. Just look at Mr. Simpson's garden. He has a green thumb. My mother has a green thumb when it comes to houseplants.

See also: have, thumb

pale around the gills and blue around the gills; green around the gills

Fig. looking sick. (The around can be replaced with about.) John is looking a little pale around the gills. What's wrong? Oh, I feel a little green about the gills.

See also: around, gill, pale

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be green about/around the gills  (humorous)

to look ill, as if you are going to vomit He was out drinking last night, was he? I thought he looked a bit green about the gills this morning.

See also: gill

be green with envy

to wish very much that you had something that another person has Sharon's going off to the south of France for three weeks and we're all green with envy.

See also: envy

give somebody/something the green light

to give permission for someone to do something or for something to happen (often + to do sth) They've just been given the green light to build two new supermarkets in the region. (often + to ) The local prefect has given the green light to the dam at Serre de la Fare.

See also: give, light

have green fingers  (British & Australian) also have a green thumb (American)

to be good at keeping plants healthy and making them grow I'm afraid I don't have green fingers. I've killed every plant I've ever owned. I was just admiring your beautiful plants, Helen. You must have a green thumb. (British & Australian)

See also: finger, have

the green-eyed monster  (humorous)

the feeling of being jealous Do you think his criticisms of Jack are valid or is it just a case of the green-eyed monster?

See also: monster

the rub of the green  (mainly British)

if you have the rub of the green, you have good luck, especially in a sports competition This player hasn't had the rub of the green in the last few tournaments.

See also: rub

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give somebody/something the green light also give the green light to somebody/something

to give permission for something to happen She's waiting for her doctor to give her the green light to play in Saturday's game.

Usage notes: also used in the form give a green light: The House of Representatives gave a green light to oil exploration off the East Coast.

See also: give, light

green with envy

wishing very much that you had what someone else has Sharon's going off to the south of France for three weeks and we're all green with envy.

See also: envy