Sometimes, people use certain words or phrases that carry hidden meanings. These are called idioms. Idioms help explain feelings or ideas in a special way. But not all idioms are kind or fair. Some idioms have been used to talk about people unfairly, especially about their skin color, background, or where they come from.
This article will explore idioms for racism. These are phrases that may sound normal, but they can carry unfair or mean ideas. We’ll look at what these idioms mean and how they can affect others. Understanding these idioms helps us become more kind and careful with our words. It also helps us treat everyone with respect and fairness. Let’s learn about these phrases and how to speak in a better way.
Idioms for Racism
1. Call a spade a spade
Meaning: To speak openly about something, even if it’s harsh or unpleasant. This phrase has been used in unfair ways in the past.
Samples: He called a spade a spade when he talked about unfair treatment. / Some people use this phrase without knowing its history.
To Put it Another Way: He spoke the truth, even if it was hard. / She didn’t hide how unfair things were.
2. Black mark against someone
Meaning: Something that hurts a person’s reputation.
Samples: Being late to school was a black mark against him. / That mistake left a black mark on her record.
To Put it Another Way: It made others think badly of him. / It was something people didn’t forget.
3. Pot calling the kettle black
Meaning: Criticizing someone for a fault you also have.
Samples: When she teased her friend for being late, it was like the pot calling the kettle black. / He told his brother to clean up, but his own room was messy too.
To Put it Another Way: He blamed someone for something he also did. / She pointed fingers even though she was the same.
4. Black sheep
Meaning: A person who is different or left out, often in a bad way.
Samples: He felt like the black sheep in his class. / She was the black sheep in her family for liking different music.
To Put it Another Way: He didn’t feel like he belonged. / She was treated differently.
5. Whitelisted
Meaning: A list of things or people that are allowed or safe.
Samples: His email was whitelisted so he could get the messages. / Only whitelisted names got into the building.
To Put it Another Way: He was approved. / She was accepted easily.
6. Blacklisted
Meaning: A list of things or people that are blocked or not allowed.
Samples: She was blacklisted from the club after breaking the rules. / The email was blacklisted and didn’t go through.
To Put it Another Way: He was banned. / She wasn’t welcome anymore.
7. Off-color joke
Meaning: A joke that might be rude or offensive.
Samples: He told an off-color joke that made people uncomfortable. / Some off-color jokes are not okay to share.
To Put it Another Way: It was a rude joke. / The joke wasn’t kind.
8. Indian giver
Meaning: Someone who gives something but later takes it back. This idiom is outdated and hurtful.
Samples: Calling someone an Indian giver is not respectful. / That term should not be used.
To Put it Another Way: He took back what he gave. / That phrase can hurt people.
9. Gypped
Meaning: Cheated or tricked. This word comes from a stereotype and is unfair.
Samples: Saying “I got gypped” is not kind. / That word can be mean to others.
To Put it Another Way: I was tricked. / I didn’t get what I paid for.
10. Chinaman’s chance
Meaning: Very little or no chance. This idiom is offensive and shouldn’t be used.
Samples: That phrase is not kind and should be avoided. / It comes from unfair treatment of people.
To Put it Another Way: He didn’t have much chance. / It was almost impossible.
11. Peanut gallery
Meaning: A group of people who criticize from the side, often not respectfully.
Samples: He told the peanut gallery to stop making rude comments. / The teacher asked the peanut gallery to quiet down.
To Put it Another Way: They were shouting out without being helpful. / They were not being kind.
12. Sold down the river
Meaning: To be betrayed or let down. This phrase has a sad history tied to slavery.
Samples: That idiom can hurt people because of where it comes from. / He felt sold down the river when his friend broke a promise.
To Put it Another Way: He was badly let down. / She felt betrayed.
13. Uppity
Meaning: Acting like you’re better than others. This word was once used to put people down unfairly.
Samples: The word “uppity” was used in hurtful ways in the past. / We shouldn’t call people that.
To Put it Another Way: He acted proud, but that word can be mean. / She was confident, not rude.
14. Go Dutch
Meaning: Each person pays for themselves.
Samples: They went Dutch at dinner. / We decided to go Dutch to split the cost.
To Put it Another Way: Everyone paid their own way. / They didn’t share the bill.
15. Dutch courage
Meaning: Bravery from drinking alcohol. This phrase is based on a stereotype.
Samples: He used what some call Dutch courage to speak up. / That term can be unfair to people.
To Put it Another Way: He got bold after drinking. / He wouldn’t have done it without help.
16. Long time no see
Meaning: Haven’t seen someone in a while. It began as a way to mock English learners.
Samples: Saying “long time no see” might sound fun, but it has a mean past. / Some people find it disrespectful.
To Put it Another Way: It’s been a while. / I haven’t seen you in a long time.
17. Too many chiefs and not enough Indians
Meaning: Too many leaders and not enough helpers. This phrase is not kind.
Samples: That saying can sound rude and disrespectful. / It’s better to say there were too many bosses.
To Put it Another Way: There were too many people in charge. / Not enough people doing the work.
18. Yellow-bellied
Meaning: Being very scared or a coward. This word has been used in unfair ways before.
Samples: He was called yellow-bellied for not speaking up. / That phrase isn’t kind.
To Put it Another Way: He was scared. / He didn’t want to try.
19. Chinese whispers
Meaning: A message that changes as people pass it along. This idiom is not respectful.
Samples: Saying “Chinese whispers” isn’t fair. / It’s better to say “the message got mixed up.”
To Put it Another Way: The story changed along the way. / People heard it differently each time.
20. Dutch treat
Meaning: Each person pays for themselves.
Samples: They had a Dutch treat lunch. / The Dutch treat rule meant no one paid for the group.
To Put it Another Way: They each paid their share. / No one paid for the others.
21. Indian summer
Meaning: A warm period in late fall. Though common, this phrase can be seen as disrespectful.
Samples: They said we were having an Indian summer in October. / That term has a confusing and unfair past.
To Put it Another Way: The weather stayed warm longer than expected. / It felt like summer came back.
22. Pardon my French
Meaning: Saying this before or after using a bad word. It unfairly links another language with something rude.
Samples: He said, “Pardon my French,” after a rude word. / That phrase isn’t polite.
To Put it Another Way: He used a bad word and tried to excuse it. / He knew it wasn’t okay.
23. Master bedroom
Meaning: The biggest bedroom in a home. The term “master” can remind people of unfair history.
Samples: They changed “master bedroom” to “main bedroom.” / That term can be hurtful for some people.
To Put it Another Way: The biggest bedroom in the house. / The main bedroom.
24. Eskimo kiss
Meaning: Rubbing noses as a way to greet. The word “Eskimo” is not a kind word for some Native people.
Samples: They used to call it an Eskimo kiss, but now it’s better to say “nose rub.” / That word is outdated.
To Put it Another Way: They touched noses to show love. / A gentle nose-to-nose greeting.
25. Redskin
Meaning: A term for Native Americans that is now seen as racist and hurtful.
Samples: That word is no longer used because it’s offensive. / Sports teams have changed names to avoid it.
To Put it Another Way: That word is not okay. / It can hurt people’s feelings.
26. Go native
Meaning: To adopt the ways of another culture, often said in a rude way.
Samples: He said she had “gone native,” which is not kind. / That phrase makes fun of other cultures.
To Put it Another Way: She tried something new, but people teased her. / That saying is not respectful.
27. No can do
Meaning: I can’t do it. It started by making fun of how people spoke English.
Samples: Saying “no can do” might sound playful, but it can be hurtful. / It copies someone’s mistakes in a mean way.
To Put it Another Way: I can’t do that. / That’s not possible.
28. Indian time
Meaning: Doing something later than expected. It wrongly suggests some people are always late.
Samples: That saying is unfair and not true. / Better to say someone is running late.
To Put it Another Way: They were late. / The event started later than planned.
29. Black mood
Meaning: Feeling very upset or angry.
Samples: He was in a black mood after the argument. / That phrase compares a color with a bad feeling.
To Put it Another Way: He was very upset. / She was feeling angry.
30. Dark horse
Meaning: Someone who surprises others by doing well.
Samples: She was a dark horse in the race and won. / That term can sound strange because of its meaning.
To Put it Another Way: No one expected her to win. / He surprised everyone.
Find the Topics: Idioms for Racism
Reading Passage: “The History Project”
Ms. Carter gave the class a new assignment: create a poster about words that might sound fine but can hurt others. Everyone was excited, but also a bit nervous. Mateo remembered hearing someone say “sold down the river” on a TV show. He looked it up and was surprised to learn it came from slavery times. “We should explain that,” he told his group.
Lila added, “I heard someone say ‘Indian giver’ last week. I didn’t know it could be offensive.” They wrote that down too. Next, Jordan said, “My uncle always says ‘long time no see.’ I never knew that could come from mocking how people talk.” Ms. Carter nodded, saying, “That’s a good one to explain.”
As they worked, Maya asked, “What about ‘black sheep’? I’ve heard people say that about others who are different.” Theo shared a page about the word “uppity” and how it was used to put others down. They added it to their board.
To finish, Bella said, “I used to hear ‘gypped’ a lot, but I read that it’s based on an unfair view of a group.” Lastly, they found a phrase “no can do” that also made fun of how someone spoke English long ago.
They felt proud of their project. “Words matter,” Ms. Carter said. “Now you’re helping others understand why.”
Your Task:
Underline or list all 8 idioms for racism that you found in the story.
Answer Key
- Sold down the river
- Indian giver
- Long time no see
- Black sheep
- Uppity
- Gypped
- No can do
- Words that might sound fine but can hurt others (general theme)
Conclusion
Sometimes we say things without thinking about where the words come from. Idioms can seem normal, but they may hurt people when they are tied to unfair ideas. When we learn the meaning behind these phrases, we can choose better words.
Using kind and fair language helps everyone feel safe and respected. By avoiding idioms that have unfair roots, we help make the world a more thoughtful place. It’s good to stop and think before we speak. That way, we can all be better friends to each other.
