turn pale
يشحب
Literalmente: تحول إلى شاحب
Use `turn pale` to describe someone looking suddenly white because they are shocked, scared, or sick.
Em 15 segundos
- Face losing color due to shock, fear, or illness.
- A physical reaction you cannot hide from others.
- Commonly used in storytelling and describing dramatic reactions.
Significado
This phrase describes when someone's face loses its color and becomes very white or light. It usually happens because they are suddenly scared, shocked, or feeling very sick.
Exemplos-chave
3 de 6Seeing a car accident
She turned pale when she saw the two cars collide.
شحب لونها عندما رأت السيارتين تصطدمان.
Getting a huge medical bill
He turned pale after opening the envelope from the hospital.
شحب لونه بعد فتح الظرف من المستشفى.
Texting about a scary movie
I literally turned pale when the clown appeared on screen!
لقد شحب لوني حرفياً عندما ظهر المهرج على الشاشة!
Contexto cultural
The expression relies on the physiological response where the body redirects blood to vital organs during a 'fight or flight' moment. In Western literature, it is a classic trope used to signal a character's vulnerability or impending doom. It is deeply rooted in the visual storytelling of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Pair it with 'Suddenly'
This phrase works best with 'suddenly' because the color change is usually instant. It adds drama to your sentence!
Don't confuse with 'Blush'
Remember: `Turn pale` is for fear/sickness (white). `Blush` is for embarrassment or love (red).
Em 15 segundos
- Face losing color due to shock, fear, or illness.
- A physical reaction you cannot hide from others.
- Commonly used in storytelling and describing dramatic reactions.
What It Means
Turn pale is all about a physical reaction you can't control. Imagine your face is a lightbulb and someone suddenly dims the power. The blood leaves your skin because of a strong emotion. It is most common when you receive bad news. You might also see it when someone is about to faint. It is a visual way to say someone is deeply affected.
How To Use It
You use it as a verb phrase. You can say someone turned pale in the past tense. You can also say they are turning pale right now. It works perfectly with words like suddenly or instantly. For example, "He turned pale when he saw the bill." It is simple, direct, and very descriptive. You don't need fancy words to show fear when you use this.
When To Use It
Use it when the shock is visible on someone's face. It is great for storytelling or describing a dramatic moment. Use it at work if a colleague gets a scary email. Use it with friends if someone sees a ghost or a spider. It is also common in medical contexts. If someone looks like they might throw up, they are turning pale.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for small surprises. If you find a dollar on the street, you don't turn pale. Don't use it for anger; people usually turn red when angry. It is not for embarrassment either. That is called blushing. Save turn pale for the big, heart-stopping moments. Using it for a minor thing sounds like you are overreacting.
Cultural Background
In English-speaking cultures, being "pale" has different meanings. Historically, it was a sign of being indoors or upper class. However, turning pale has always been linked to fear. Think of old Gothic horror movies. The hero always turns pale before the monster appears. It is a universal human reaction that transcends specific borders. It is a biological response we all recognize.
Common Variations
You might hear as pale as a ghost or as pale as a sheet. These are just more dramatic ways to say the same thing. Some people say went pale instead of turned pale. Both are perfectly fine and mean the exact same thing. Turned white is another common alternative you will hear in movies. Choose the one that feels most natural to you.
Notas de uso
The phrase is very versatile and safe to use in almost any context. Just remember it implies a sudden change rather than a permanent skin tone.
Pair it with 'Suddenly'
This phrase works best with 'suddenly' because the color change is usually instant. It adds drama to your sentence!
Don't confuse with 'Blush'
Remember: `Turn pale` is for fear/sickness (white). `Blush` is for embarrassment or love (red).
The 'Sheet' Comparison
If someone is extremely pale, Americans often say they are 'white as a sheet.' It implies they are terrified.
Exemplos
6She turned pale when she saw the two cars collide.
شحب لونها عندما رأت السيارتين تصطدمان.
Shows a reaction to a shocking and scary event.
He turned pale after opening the envelope from the hospital.
شحب لونه بعد فتح الظرف من المستشفى.
Describes financial shock.
I literally turned pale when the clown appeared on screen!
لقد شحب لوني حرفياً عندما ظهر المهرج على الشاشة!
Hyperbolic use in a casual setting.
The traveler turned pale as he searched his empty pockets.
شحب لون المسافر بينما كان يبحث في جيوبه الفارغة.
Focuses on the panic of losing something important.
Are you okay? You've suddenly turned pale.
هل أنت بخير؟ لقد شحب لونك فجأة.
Used to express concern for someone's health.
He turned pale when he realized he'd been muted the whole meeting.
شحب لونه عندما أدرك أنه كان صامتاً طوال الاجتماع.
A humorous take on a common modern fear.
Teste-se
Choose the best word to complete the sentence describing a shock.
When the boss mentioned layoffs, the whole team ___ pale.
`Turned` is the standard collocation used with `pale` to describe this sudden change.
Complete the sentence about feeling unwell.
You look like you're about to ___ pale; do you need to sit down?
While `go pale` is possible, `turn pale` is the most common way to describe the process of losing color.
🎉 Pontuação: /2
Recursos visuais
Formality of 'Turn Pale'
Used with friends about movies or small shocks.
I turned pale when I saw the price!
Standard use in daily conversation and news.
The witness turned pale during the testimony.
Used in literature and formal reports.
The patient turned pale upon exertion.
When to use 'Turn Pale'
Sudden Fear
Seeing a ghost.
Bad News
Failing an exam.
Physical Illness
Feeling seasick.
Extreme Shock
Winning the lottery.
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasIt means your face loses its natural color and looks white. This happens because of fear, shock, or feeling sick, like in She turned pale when she saw the spider.
No, for embarrassment, we usually say blush or turn red. Turn pale is strictly for negative shocks or health issues.
It is neutral. You can use it in a novel, a business meeting, or while chatting with your best friend.
Yes! Go pale and turn pale are interchangeable. For example, He went pale sounds just as natural as He turned pale.
They are very similar, but turn pale is a more common set phrase. Turn white is often used for even more extreme fear.
Yes, usually. When we say someone turned pale, we are almost always talking about their facial complexion.
Absolutely. Doctors might use it to describe a patient's symptom, such as The patient turned pale and felt dizzy.
The past tense is turned pale. For example: The moment he heard the news, he turned pale.
It is more of a collocation (words that naturally go together) than a figurative idiom, because the person actually does look pale.
We don't usually use this for animals because you can't see their skin color through their fur. It is a human-centric expression.
Frases relacionadas
as white as a ghost
Extremely pale due to intense fear.
lose one's color
To become pale suddenly.
look like death warmed up
To look very pale and ill.
blanch
A more formal word meaning to turn pale from shock.
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