going green

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phraseinformal

   Changing your habits or business practices to reduce harm to the environment, for example by recycling or using clean energy.

   Grammar: Often used after 'be' or 'go': The company is going green. It can also be a noun phrase: Going green can save money.

   Patterns

   • go green
   • be going green
   • going green

   Many supermarkets are going green by banning plastic bags.

   Our school is going green with a new recycling program.

   Going green at home can start with simple things like turning off lights.

2. 2phrasefixed phraseinformalold-fashioned

   Becoming pale or sickly in the face, as if about to vomit.

   Grammar: Usually used in the progressive: He was going green around the gills.

   Patterns

   • go green around the gills
   • be going green

   The smell was so bad that she started going green.

   He went green around the gills when he saw the blood.

Common combinations

go green

The city is encouraging residents to go green and use public transport.

going green initiative

The company launched a going green initiative to cut carbon emissions.

going green around the gills

After the roller coaster, he was going green around the gills.

Synonyms and how they differ

eco-friendly

This adjective describes products or practices, while 'going green' describes the process of becoming more environmentally friendly.

sustainable

This is a broader term about not using up resources; 'going green' is more informal and often about reducing harm.

Commonly confused: going green or greenwashing?

Practice

Make it your own

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

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