Green as the Emerald Isle!

The colour green comes in a multitude of shades, and each brings a different image to mind: from forest green, which speaks of the abundance of nature, to jade green, which evokes all the romance of the Orient. And green is of course the colour of Ireland, the Emerald Isle!

Naturally, this popular colour also crops up in a number of English expressions, as you’ll discover in this quiz! Think you can choose the right meaning for each expression in the questions below? If so, you’ve got the green light!

1. What is a greenhorn?

a trumpet-shaped shrub

an inexperienced person

a soldier

2. What does the expression to look green around the gills mean?

to look ill

to look frightened

to look angry

3. The saying The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence means that .

the neighbours use better fertilizer

other people are better off than we are

people tend to feel envious of others

4. The expression Sure as God made little green apples indicates .

absolute certainty

reasonable certainty

doubt

5. In golf, the saying It’s the rub of the green is equivalent to which of the following expressions?

You’ve got the luck of the Irish.

Them’s the breaks.

It’s par for the course.

6. What does the expression green-eyed monster refer to?

fear

malice

jealousy

7. What does it mean to have a green thumb?

to be gullible

to be a skilful gardener

to be very unlucky

8. What is the meaning of the proverb A hedge between keeps friendship green?

space helps a friendship flourish

space prevents jealousy between friends

space leads to superficial friendships

9. The adjective green is a synonym for .

thrifty

intelligent

youthful

10. If you leave for greener pastures, you are leaving for .

a warmer climate

better opportunities

an exciting adventure