green with envy

Meaning: Extremely jealous.

Example: “He was green with envy when he saw her new bike.”

Origin: Greenish skin was once linked to sickness and to bile, and Shakespeare called jealousy "the green-eyed monster" in Othello. The phrase is common from the 19th century.

Equivalents in other languages

German: grün vor Neid Literally: Green from envy

More English idioms

do nothing by halves To commit fully to whatever one does.
keep someone on a short leash To keep someone under close control.
not for all the tea in China Under no circumstances.
shut someone up To force someone to stop talking.
a pack of lies A story that is entirely untrue.
rein someone in To bring someone under control.

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