Jealousy is a feeling we all have sometimes. It happens when we want something someone else has. Maybe your friend got a new bike, and you wish it was yours. These feelings are normal, but it’s also important to understand them. One way people talk about jealousy is by using idioms. Idioms are special phrases that don’t always mean what the words say.
In this article, we’ll look at idioms that describe jealousy. These sayings help us talk about feelings in fun or interesting ways. You’ll learn what each idiom means and see how to use them in everyday life. At the end, there’s a short quiz to check what you’ve learned. Let’s begin.
Idioms for Jealousy
1. Green with envy
Meaning: Very jealous
Sample Sentences: She was green with envy when her friend got a new phone. / He looked green with envy when he saw my ice cream.
Other Way to Say: Super jealous / Really wanted it
2. Jealous streak
Meaning: A habit of being jealous often
Sample Sentences: He has a jealous streak when his sister gets more attention. / Her jealous streak showed when her friend won the game.
Other Way to Say: Gets jealous a lot / Often feels left out
3. Sour grapes
Meaning: Pretending not to care because of jealousy
Sample Sentences: Saying the toy isn’t fun anymore was just sour grapes. / He said the prize was silly, but it was just sour grapes.
Other Way to Say: Pretending not to care / Acting like it’s no big deal
4. The green-eyed monster
Meaning: Jealousy
Sample Sentences: The green-eyed monster came out when she saw the trophy. / Don’t let the green-eyed monster ruin your day.
Other Way to Say: Feeling jealous / Getting upset over someone else’s win
5. Eat your heart out
Meaning: Feel jealous watching someone else succeed
Sample Sentences: Eat your heart out, I got the last donut! / When I showed off my new bike, he just said “eat your heart out.”
Other Way to Say: Be jealous / Wish you had this
6. Burn with envy
Meaning: Feel very jealous
Sample Sentences: I burned with envy when I saw her brand-new backpack. / He burned with envy at my new video game.
Other Way to Say: Felt jealous / Wanted it so bad
7. Turning green
Meaning: Starting to feel jealous
Sample Sentences: He was turning green when I got picked first. / She turned green watching them play together.
Other Way to Say: Started to get jealous / Began feeling left out
8. Eyes full of envy
Meaning: Looking at someone or something with jealousy
Sample Sentences: He had eyes full of envy when I won the race. / Her eyes were full of envy during the award show.
Other Way to Say: Looking jealous / Watching with want
9. Bitterness creeping in
Meaning: Feeling jealous and unhappy
Sample Sentences: Bitterness crept in when I saw their matching jackets. / He felt bitterness creeping in after the team picked someone else.
Other Way to Say: Felt upset / Started to get jealous
10. Green fog
Meaning: A cloud of jealousy
Sample Sentences: A green fog filled the room when she showed off her medal. / His mind was in a green fog when he saw the high score.
Other Way to Say: Jealous feeling / Clouded by envy
11. Boiling inside
Meaning: Feeling very jealous and upset
Sample Sentences: I was boiling inside when my friend got picked. / She was boiling inside while watching them cheer for her classmate.
Other Way to Say: Very upset / Really jealous
12. Cold shoulder
Meaning: Ignoring someone because you’re jealous
Sample Sentences: He gave me the cold shoulder after I won. / She gave her sister the cold shoulder for getting a new doll.
Other Way to Say: Ignored them / Didn’t talk because of jealousy
13. Silent grudge
Meaning: Quietly feeling jealous or mad
Sample Sentences: He held a silent grudge after not getting invited. / She had a silent grudge about the award.
Other Way to Say: Secretly mad / Quietly upset
14. Bitter pill
Meaning: A sad and jealous feeling that’s hard to accept
Sample Sentences: Losing was a bitter pill to swallow. / Seeing my friend win again was a bitter pill.
Other Way to Say: Hard to accept / Sad and jealous
15. Green flashes
Meaning: Quick jealous looks
Sample Sentences: I saw green flashes in his eyes when I showed my toy. / She gave green flashes during the game.
Other Way to Say: Jealous glances / Quick jealous stares
16. Clenched teeth
Meaning: Trying to hide jealousy
Sample Sentences: He smiled with clenched teeth after losing. / She clapped with clenched teeth when her friend won.
Other Way to Say: Forced smile / Pretending not to be jealous
17. Tight smile
Meaning: A fake smile hiding jealousy
Sample Sentences: His tight smile gave away his jealousy. / She wore a tight smile as her friend showed her trophy.
Other Way to Say: Fake happy / Pretending to be glad
18. Green thoughts
Meaning: Jealous thinking
Sample Sentences: My head was full of green thoughts when I saw the prize. / She had green thoughts after the party invite.
Other Way to Say: Jealous ideas / Thinking with envy
19. Jealous glances
Meaning: Looking at someone with envy
Sample Sentences: I saw jealous glances when I got my new shoes. / They gave jealous glances at the winner.
Other Way to Say: Envious looks / Unhappy stares
20. Bitter laugh
Meaning: Laughing while feeling jealous
Sample Sentences: He gave a bitter laugh when she won again. / She laughed bitterly but was really upset.
Other Way to Say: Jealous chuckle / Fake laugh
21. Eyes burning
Meaning: Strong jealousy in someone’s eyes
Sample Sentences: His eyes were burning as I opened the gift. / Her eyes burned when I showed my medal.
Other Way to Say: Angry and jealous look / Envy in the eyes
22. Ice in the voice
Meaning: Speaking coldly because of jealousy
Sample Sentences: She spoke with ice in her voice after I was chosen. / He answered with ice in his voice.
Other Way to Say: Cold tone / Mad and jealous
23. Gritting teeth
Meaning: Trying not to show jealousy
Sample Sentences: I was gritting my teeth while cheering. / He stood there, gritting his teeth in envy.
Other Way to Say: Holding back anger / Trying not to show jealousy
24. Chilly stare
Meaning: Looking at someone coldly because of jealousy
Sample Sentences: She gave me a chilly stare after I got the prize. / His chilly stare said it all.
Other Way to Say: Cold look / Angry eyes
25. Eyes like arrows
Meaning: Jealous and hurtful looks
Sample Sentences: His eyes were like arrows when I got the part. / She looked at me with eyes like arrows.
Other Way to Say: Hurtful stares / Angry and jealous
26. Green shade
Meaning: A jealous mood
Sample Sentences: I was in a green shade all day after the contest. / Her green shade showed as she watched others win.
Other Way to Say: Bad mood from jealousy / Feeling down from envy
27. Holding it in
Meaning: Not showing jealousy but feeling it
Sample Sentences: I was holding it in when my friend won. / She held it in while clapping.
Other Way to Say: Hiding it / Pretending not to care
28. Forced cheer
Meaning: Acting happy but feeling jealous
Sample Sentences: I gave a forced cheer when he scored. / She clapped with forced cheer.
Other Way to Say: Pretending to be happy / Fake support
29. Heart sinking
Meaning: Feeling sad and jealous
Sample Sentences: My heart sank when I didn’t win. / Her heart sank as the names were called.
Other Way to Say: Felt let down / Got sad and jealous
30. Bit lips
Meaning: Trying not to say something jealous
Sample Sentences: I bit my lips instead of speaking out. / She bit her lips while they cheered.
Other Way to Say: Held back words / Kept quiet from jealousy
31. Jealous fog
Meaning: A jealous feeling that covers your thoughts
Sample Sentences: I was in a jealous fog and couldn’t focus. / She felt the jealous fog all morning.
Other Way to Say: Clouded by envy / Jealous mood
32. Cold claps
Meaning: Clapping without real joy because of jealousy
Sample Sentences: His cold claps showed he was jealous. / The claps were cold and short.
Other Way to Say: Unhappy cheers / Clapping without feeling
33. Eyes rolling
Meaning: Showing jealousy or dislike
Sample Sentences: She rolled her eyes when I got picked. / His eyes rolled at my prize.
Other Way to Say: Showed jealousy / Not happy
34. Turning away
Meaning: Looking away because of jealousy
Sample Sentences: He turned away when I showed my drawing. / She turned away when they cheered for me.
Other Way to Say: Couldn’t watch / Looked away in envy
35. Heart pinched
Meaning: A small hurt from feeling jealous
Sample Sentences: I felt a heart pinch when I saw them celebrate. / Her heart pinched at the sight of the gift.
Other Way to Say: Little pain inside / Tiny hurt of jealousy
36. Shadow in the heart
Meaning: A small, sad feeling of jealousy
Sample Sentences: A shadow filled my heart when I saw their friendship. / She felt a shadow in her heart during the game.
Other Way to Say: Quiet sadness / Jealous hurt inside
37. Stormy eyes
Meaning: Angry or jealous eyes
Sample Sentences: He had stormy eyes after seeing my new phone. / Her stormy eyes said she was not happy.
Other Way to Say: Mad stare / Jealous look
38. Cold breeze
Meaning: A chilly feeling from someone who’s jealous
Sample Sentences: A cold breeze came from his words. / She gave a cold breeze when I won.
Other Way to Say: Unkind feeling / Jealous mood
39. Tight chest
Meaning: Feeling upset or jealous inside
Sample Sentences: My chest felt tight when I lost. / She had a tight chest after seeing the prize.
Other Way to Say: Upset feeling / Sad and jealous
40. Green storm
Meaning: A big rush of jealousy
Sample Sentences: I felt a green storm when I saw her gift. / The green storm came fast during the game.
Other Way to Say: Strong jealousy / Big jealous feeling
41. Bit back words
Meaning: Stopped yourself from saying something jealous
Sample Sentences: I bit back my words when I saw her score. / He bit back what he wanted to say.
Other Way to Say: Kept quiet / Didn’t say jealous things
42. Face like stone
Meaning: A hard look hiding jealousy
Sample Sentences: He had a face like stone at the party. / Her face like stone showed her true feeling.
Other Way to Say: No smile / Hid jealousy
43. Cold hug
Meaning: A hug without real warmth, often from jealousy
Sample Sentences: She gave a cold hug after the win. / His cold hug made me feel awkward.
Other Way to Say: Fake friendly / Not happy hug
44. Words like ice
Meaning: Speaking in a cold or jealous way
Sample Sentences: His words were like ice when I told my news. / She spoke with words like ice.
Other Way to Say: Cold talk / Jealous voice
45. Stuck smile
Meaning: A fake smile hiding true feelings
Sample Sentences: I gave a stuck smile when I lost. / Her stuck smile fooled no one.
Other Way to Say: Fake grin / Pretend happy face
46. Tight voice
Meaning: Speaking while trying to hide jealousy
Sample Sentences: She said “good job” in a tight voice. / His tight voice gave him away.
Other Way to Say: Forced voice / Not truly happy
47. Blank stare
Meaning: A look with no emotion, often hiding jealousy
Sample Sentences: He gave a blank stare at the winner. / Her blank stare said she didn’t like it.
Other Way to Say: Cold look / Jealous eyes
48. Quick look away
Meaning: Looking away to hide jealousy
Sample Sentences: I gave a quick look away after seeing the score. / She looked away fast when I walked up.
Other Way to Say: Turned away / Avoided eye contact
49. Flat voice
Meaning: Speaking without feeling because of jealousy
Sample Sentences: His voice was flat when he said “Congrats.” / She spoke in a flat voice at the party.
Other Way to Say: No excitement / Dull voice from jealousy
50. Holding your breath
Meaning: Trying not to show jealous feelings
Sample Sentences: I was holding my breath so I wouldn’t say something mean. / She held her breath and stayed quiet.
Other Way to Say: Staying calm / Controlling yourself
51. Burning cheeks
Meaning: Feeling embarrassed or jealous
Sample Sentences: My cheeks burned when I saw them together. / Her burning cheeks told her secret.
Other Way to Say: Blushed from jealousy / Face turned red
52. One-word reply
Meaning: Saying very little because of jealousy
Sample Sentences: “Nice,” he said with a one-word reply. / Her one-word reply showed she wasn’t happy.
Other Way to Say: Short answer / Cold reply
53. Forced grin
Meaning: A fake smile when feeling jealous
Sample Sentences: I gave a forced grin at the party. / Her forced grin was easy to spot.
Other Way to Say: Pretend smile / Faking happiness
54. Frozen face
Meaning: A still, stiff face showing hidden jealousy
Sample Sentences: He had a frozen face after hearing the news. / Her frozen face didn’t fool anyone.
Other Way to Say: No reaction / Hiding feelings
55. Swallowed pride
Meaning: Hiding jealousy and acting polite
Sample Sentences: I swallowed my pride and said “Good job.” / She swallowed her pride and clapped.
Other Way to Say: Held back jealousy / Stayed polite
Multiple Choice Question: Idioms for Jealousy
1. What does “green with envy” mean?
A. Sick from eating too much
B. Really jealous of someone
C. Excited about a game
2. If someone is “burning with envy,” what are they feeling?
A. They’re very happy
B. They’re really jealous
C. They’re tired from running
3. What does “sour grapes” mean?
A. Pretending you don’t want something because you can’t have it
B. Being proud of your friend
C. Giving someone fruit
4. You see your friend with a new video game, and you feel a “jealous spark.” What does that mean?
A. You want to play together
B. You’re a little jealous
C. You are scared of the game
5. If someone “looks daggers” at you, what are they doing?
A. Looking with angry or jealous eyes
B. Playing with toys
C. Practicing magic tricks
6. What does “bite your tongue” mean in a jealous moment?
A. You’re eating too fast
B. You’re holding back jealous words
C. You’re sticking out your tongue
7. What does it mean if you feel “a sting of jealousy”?
A. You were stung by a bee
B. You feel a sharp jealous feeling
C. You are angry at your team
8. If someone has a “jealous bone,” what are they like?
A. They get jealous often
B. They have broken a bone
C. They love to dance
9. What does it mean to “watch with envy”?
A. You’re cheering loudly
B. You’re watching and feeling jealous
C. You’re closing your eyes
10. If someone gives you “a side-eye,” what might that mean?
A. They are winking at you
B. They are staring in surprise
C. They are showing jealousy or dislike
11. What does it mean to “turn green” when you see someone win a prize?
A. You are happy for them
B. You are feeling jealous
C. You are ready to eat
12. What does “eat your heart out” mean when someone says it in a fun way?
A. Be jealous, I’ve got something cool
B. You’re eating lunch fast
C. You’re feeling proud of someone
Answer Key
- B – Really jealous of someone
- B – They’re really jealous
- A – Pretending you don’t want something because you can’t have it
- B – You’re a little jealous
- A – Looking with angry or jealous eyes
- B – You’re holding back jealous words
- B – You feel a sharp jealous feeling
- A – They get jealous often
- B – You’re watching and feeling jealous
- C – They are showing jealousy or dislike
- B – You are feeling jealous
- A – Be jealous, I’ve got something cool
Scoring Guide
12 Correct Answers:
Love Idiom Master! You really understand jealousy idioms well.
8–11 Correct Answers:
Well on your way to understanding jealousy idioms. Keep it up!
4–7 Correct Answers:
Room for improvement, but you’re getting there! Review the meanings and try again.
0–3 Correct Answers:
Let’s explore jealousy idioms together. You’re just starting, and that’s okay!
Conclusion
Jealousy is a feeling many people have, and idioms help us talk about it in interesting ways. By learning these phrases, you can better understand how others feel and express your own feelings too.
Now that you’ve seen examples, answered questions, and read clear meanings, you can start using these idioms in everyday life. Keep practicing and notice them when others use them. It’s a helpful way to grow your vocabulary and understand emotions.
