Sandy did not understand some sentences so she went to her teacher for help.
Sandy: Mr Smith, I have difficulty in understanding some sentences. For example, “Simon sometimes is yellow”; “Millie is blue today”; “Peter has green fingers”; “John has told a white lie”. There is a color in each of these sentences. What do they mean?
Mr Smith: In English, yellow sometimes means cowardice(胆小). Blue usually represents sadness. A person with green fingers grows plants well. And a white lie is not a bad lie.
Sandy: Could you give me an example for “a white lie”, please?
Mr Smith: Certainly. For example, I want to give you some cakes, but in fact you don't like them. What will you say?
Sandy: “No, thanks. I'm not hungry.”
Mr Smith: That's a white lie. If you say “No, I don't like them”, it is impolite.
Sandy: Oh, I see. Thank you very much.