The phrase “as white as a sheet” is an idiom commonly used to describe someone who has turned extremely pale, typically as a result of shock, fear, illness, or a sudden emotional reaction. The comparison to a sheet highlights the person’s lack of color, resembling the pale, uniform whiteness of linen.
Meaning of as white as a sheet
(As) White as a Sheet
Used to describe someone who has lost their color or appears very pale, often due to fear, surprise, illness, or emotional distress.
Example:
“Jane was white as a sheet for weeks after her illness.”
Example:
“Mary went as white as a sheet when she heard the news.”
Usage examples
Fear or shock:
“When the lights flickered, she turned as white as a sheet.”
“The detective went white as a sheet when he realized he was being followed.”
Illness or exhaustion:
“After the surgery, he was white as a sheet and needed immediate care.”
“She had been ill for days, and she was still as white as a sheet when we visited.”
Tone and context
- Commonly used in both informal and descriptive contexts, often to emphasize an immediate physical reaction to emotional or physical stress.
- Connotation of Weakness or Vulnerability:
- The phrase can imply that the person is feeling unwell or frightened, with a subtle sense of vulnerability.
Related expressions
“(As) pale as a ghost”
Describes a similar pale appearance, usually caused by fear or illness.
Example:
“He turned pale as a ghost when he realized what had happened.”
“As white as a sheet of paper”
Another variant that emphasizes a completely pale complexion.
Example:
“She was as white as a sheet of paper when they told her the bad news.”
The idiom “as white as a sheet” effectively conveys a person’s sudden paleness, typically due to intense emotions like fear, shock, or illness. It’s an expressive way to describe how one’s physical appearance can visibly change in response to a powerful experience. Would you like to learn about more idiomatic expressions related to emotions?
