Phrase: green with envy

Associations

The phrase "green with envy" means to be very jealous or envious of someone else's good fortune or success.

• Example 1: When Sarah got a promotion at work, her friend looked green with envy. (She felt jealous of Sarah's success.)
• Example 2: I was green with envy when I saw my neighbor's new car. (I felt jealous of my neighbor's car.)
• Example 3: After seeing her friend's beautiful vacation photos, she was green with envy. (The photos made her feel jealous of the vacation.)

The synonym "jealous" can be used interchangeably; however, "green with envy" emphasizes the intensity of the feeling and adds a colorful imagery, while "jealous" is more straightforward and can apply to various situations.

Substitution

Instead of "green with envy," you could use:

• "jealous" - more general, can describe a range of situations.
• "envious" - slightly more formal but has the same meaning.
• "resentful" - carries a stronger negative feeling, implying bitterness along with envy.

Deconstruction

• Green: In this phrase, "green" symbolizes jealousy. This use comes from ancient times, when people associated the color green with sickness or envy.
• With: A preposition that indicates the connection between two items, in this case, the feeling of envy and the person experiencing it.
• Envy: A feeling of discontent or desire because of someone else's possessions or qualities.

Historically, in literature, the color green has often been linked to jealousy. This association helps us understand why we use "green" to describe this strong emotion.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you felt "green with envy"? What were the circumstances?
• Do you think being envious can sometimes lead to positive actions, like motivating someone to achieve their goals? Why or why not?
• How do you feel about envy in general? Is it a feeling you think is common?