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green with envy
/ɡriːn wɪð ˈɛnvi/◆idiom
very jealous
When she saw my new car, she was green with envy.
She felt intense jealousy upon seeing the new car.
informal
feeling intense jealousy or resentment
He was green with envy when his coworker got the promotion he wanted.
He felt very jealous of his coworker's promotion.
Commonly used to describe strong, often negative feelings toward someone else's good fortune.
Collocations
make someone green with envycause someone to feel intense jealousy
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid literal interpretation
Remember that 'green with envy' is an idiom. Do not interpret it as someone literally turning green due to jealousy.
Gold Rule
Use in context of jealousy
This idiom should only be used to describe feelings of jealousy, not other emotions like sadness or anger.
Word Origin
The phrase dates back to the 16th century, with 'green' symbolizing sickness or nausea (as in 'green about the gills') and 'envy' referring to jealousy. The combination reflects the physical and emotional turmoil of jealousy.
Usage Notes
Primarily used in informal contexts. Avoid using it in formal writing unless quoting someone or using it deliberately for stylistic effect.
Word Breakdown
green
pale or sickly color, symbolizing jealousy
rootwith envy
feeling resentment due to someone else's advantage
phraseEnglish Dictionary