Idioms containing WHITE
TOP words in categories
IN BLACK AND WHITE
in print or in writing
1. You can’t agree to buy or sell a house with just a handshake. The agreement has to be in black and white.
2. I didn’t believe what you were telling me was true, but here it is in the newspaper in black and white.
2. I didn’t believe what you were telling me was true, but here it is in the newspaper in black and white.
WHITE ELEPHANT
an item that no one wants to buy or that is difficult to get rid of; a costly but useless possession
1. The salesman has been trying to get rid of that car for more than a year. It costs too much to run and insure, so no one wants it—it’s a white elephant
2. The department store is having a white elephant sale. They’ve reduced the prices on all the merchandise that they haven’t been able to sell.
2. The department store is having a white elephant sale. They’ve reduced the prices on all the merchandise that they haven’t been able to sell.
WHITE LIE
a minor, polite, or harmless lie
1. When Jenny’s parents asked her where she had gone, she told them she had been at the library, but she didn’t tell them that she had also gone to the movies. She told her parents a white lie.
2. When Carol asked me what I thought of her new dress, I told her she looked good in it. I didn’t really like the dress, but since I did not want to hurt Carol’s feelings I told her a little white lie.
2. When Carol asked me what I thought of her new dress, I told her she looked good in it. I didn’t really like the dress, but since I did not want to hurt Carol’s feelings I told her a little white lie.
WHITE-COLLAR WORKER
an office worker
1. This company doesn’t employ any manual laborers. Everyone who works for this company is a white-collar worker.
2. Dick likes to work outside in the fresh air and sunshine. He wouldn’t be very happy as a white-collar worker in an office somewhere.
2. Dick likes to work outside in the fresh air and sunshine. He wouldn’t be very happy as a white-collar worker in an office somewhere.
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