White as lily, lily white

English as a Second Language English Teacher Explanations (ESL Tests)
1

Test No. [color=blue]incompl/inter-2 “Like a red rag”, question 7

In this business you cannot afford to make any mistake and must be seen to be lily ….

(a) red
(b) blue
(c) white
(d) green

Test No. [color=blue]incompl/inter-2 “Like a red rag”, answer 7

In this business you cannot afford to make any mistake and must be seen to be lily white.

Correct answer: (c) white

Your answer was: [color=red]incorrect
In this business you cannot afford to make any mistake and must be seen to be lily green.
[size=200]_________________________[/size]

lilly white? why?

2

Well, white is supposed to be the colour of innocence and if you are lily white (or lily-white), you are white as a lily which means you are beyond reproach, you are blameless.[YSaerTTEW443543]

TOEIC short conversations: A customer makes an appointment to have his car serviced[YSaerTTEW443543]

3

white is the color of purity and innocence. Thats why brides dresses are white :slight_smile:

4

Hi Nathalie,

What does lily mean?

A lily is a delicate flower, often white but in other pale colours too.

Look up lily on GOOGLE under images.

Alan

5

Lily flower is spelled Ly in Vietnamese.

6

Is this correct,
she is not guilty,she didnt do any crime,she is white or lily white.

7

I m lily:D

8

Hello,

Does “lily white” in that case mean; to be clean ? and how they shouldn’t screw up in a job ? Perhaps the phrase meant never make any sort of funny business?

Can you elaborate further? can you put it in another phrase ? Please let me have your response in this…

9

“His motives are lily-white.” … Meaning you can trust him.

“She pretends to be lily-white.” … Meaning she is not what she would like you to think.

“His shirt is lily-white.” Obvious meaning.

“His reputation is lily-white.” … Meaning that no-one knows or says anything bad about him.

10

Thank you, Kito.