poppy

(as) red as a poppy

Extremely flushed and red, especially in the face, as from embarrassment, anger, or physical strain. My father was as red as a poppy by the time we reached the top of the hill. I was afraid he might have a heart attack or something! Oh, Mike definitely likes you—he turns red as a poppy every time you're around!

See also: poppy, red

tall poppy

One who has a lot of wealth, fame, or social prominence. She may be a tall poppy, as you describe her, but she never flaunts her wealth or treats others with disrespect.

See also: poppy, tall

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

*red as a cherry

 and *red as a poppy; *red as a rose; *red as a ruby; *red as blood

bright red. (*Also: as ~.) When she came in from ice-skating, Clara's nose was as red as a cherry. When her boss praised her in front of the whole office, Emily turned red as a poppy. I would like to make a dress out of that beautiful velvet that is red as a rose. Jane painted her fingernails with polish as red as a ruby. I want to have my car painted red as blood.

See also: cherry, red

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

a tall poppy

a privileged or distinguished person.

The Roman tyrant Tarquin was reputed to have struck off the heads of poppies as a gruesomely graphic demonstration of the way in which the important men of a captured city should be treated. In recent years, the term tall poppy syndrome has also developed, referring to a tendency to discredit or disparage people who have become rich, famous, or socially prominent.

1991 Lynn Barber Mostly Men Journalists on the whole tend to be egalitarian-minded and contemptous of tall poppies, but I prefer the prima donnas.

See also: poppy, tall

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017