red carpet
/red ˈkɑːpɪt/
Meaning
This term refers to the formal red floor covering rolled out for VIPs and celebrities at high-profile events like movie premieres and awards shows. It is also used as an adjective to describe luxurious, VIP treatment.
Examples
-
All the stars wore stunning designer outfits on the red carpet.
All the stars wore stunning designer outfits on the red carpet.
-
The journalists waited by the red carpet to interview the nominees.
The journalists waited by the red carpet to interview the nominees.
-
She made her first red carpet appearance since the scandal last night.
She made her first red carpet appearance since the scandal last night.
-
Fans gathered outside the theater hoping to get a glimpse of the red carpet.
Fans gathered outside the theater hoping to get a glimpse of the red carpet.
-
They rolled out the red carpet to welcome the international film director.
They rolled out the red carpet to welcome the international film director.
Common Mistakes
-
✗ She walked on the red-colored carpet.
✓ She walked the red carpet.
"Red carpet" is a specific compound noun. Describing it literally as "red-colored carpet" sounds unnatural and loses the idiomatic meaning.
-
✗ They gave us a red carpet welcome.
✓ They rolled out the red carpet for us.
While "red-carpet welcome" is occasionally understood, "roll out the red carpet" is the correct and natural idiomatic verb phrase.
Related Expressions
Practice
-
The fashion police criticized several outfits worn on the ___.
💡 The walkway where celebrities pose at awards shows.
Show answer
red carpet
-
They really rolled out the ___ for the visiting executives.
💡 Welcomed them with special, luxurious treatment.
Show answer
red carpet