Episode 11 - Blue Idioms

This ESL podcast will teach several idioms using the word "blue" and puts your learning to the test with a dictation exercise.

The color blue is one of the three primary colors. Blue has many different shades; such as sky blue, baby blue and navy blue. Blue can be associated with royalty, but it is also the color of the common man. Almost everyone, rich or poor, owns a pair of blue jeans. Blue is, of course, one of the more attractive eye colors. However, if any other part of your body were blue, it would mean something is very wrong. This is evident in many blue expressions and idioms. Here are some commmon expressions using the word blue:

to feel blue = to feel sad
to turn blue = to become cold
to go blue = to become cold
a blue blood = someone of the highest social class
a blue-collar worker = someone who does physical work, often in a factory
to be black and blue = to be severely bruised or to be bruised all over
a blue-eyed boy = a man favored by someone in authority
the boys in blue = the police
to be true blue = to be completely loyal to something or someone
to scream blue murder = to complain or cry out very loudly
to talk a blue streak = to talk a lot and very fast
once in a blue moon = very rarely
until you are blue in the face = you are frustrated that no one is listening to or understanding you
out of the blue = quickly and surprisingly
a bolt from the blue = quickly and and surprisingly
be caught between the devil and the deep blue sea = to be in a dilemma, or having to make a difficult choice

Dictation exercise
William was a member of the royal family. His father was a factory worker but his mother was the princess. Fortunately, he was Queen Mary's favorite grandson. William often worked undercover with the police. After work, they would go to a nearby village for drinks and girls. It was very rare that William remained sober. Although his mom was always loyal to him, she never encouraged his drinking. She would often scold him again and again with no effect. One fateful night, William met this beautiful girl at the pub. She talked way too much but he was still attracted to her. Love struck him instantly. William was too drunk to think straight and he followed her home. The girl noticed William following her and screamed extremely loudly. Four bigger men quickly appeared. The four men surrounded him, and William found himself in a very bad situation. The four men then beat William until he was bruised all over. They did not stop until his body finally went cold. William spent the last few minutes of his life feeling sad for not listening to his mother.