be red

Meanings

1. 1phraselinking

   To have the color of blood or fire; to be the color red.

   Grammar: Used with a subject: The car is red. It describes a state, not an action.

   Patterns

   • something is red
   • someone is red

   The apple on the table is red and shiny.

   Her cheeks were red after running in the cold.

   If the traffic light is red, you must stop.

2. 2phraselinkingfigurative

   To be embarrassed or flushed, especially in the face.

   Grammar: Often used in the phrase 'be red in the face' or 'go red'.

   Patterns

   • be red in the face
   • go red

   He was red in the face when he forgot her name.

   She went red when the teacher praised her.

3. 3phrasefixed phrasebusinessfinance

   To be in debt; to owe money (in the phrase 'be in the red').

   Grammar: Always used as 'in the red', not 'be red' alone.

   Patterns

   • be in the red

   Our bank account is in the red this month.

   The company has been in the red for two years.

Common combinations

be red with anger

His face was red with anger after the argument.

be red from the sun

Her shoulders were red from the sun.

be red in the face

He was red in the face after climbing the stairs.

Synonyms and how they differ

crimson

A deep, slightly purplish red; more literary and specific than plain 'red'.

scarlet

A bright, vivid red; often used for clothes or signs, and stronger than 'red'.

Commonly confused: be red or read?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “be red”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words