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You are here: Home / Language / How Did the Phrase “Show His True Colours” Originate and What Does the Expression Mean?

How Did the Phrase “Show His True Colours” Originate and What Does the Expression Mean?

April 15, 2020 by Karen Hill

Sailing under false colors means to sail under the enemy flag, and it was once a legitimate naval maneuver used to get close enough to the enemy for a surprise attack.

At the last moment, just before opening fire, the false colors were lowered and replaced by the ship’s “true colors.”

Although such deception is now considered dishonorable, we still say when someone we trusted reveals himself as the enemy that he is showing his “true colors.”

When someone we trusted turns against us, we also say he’s “shown his true colors”.

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Filed Under: Language

About Karen Hill

Karen Hill is a freelance writer, editor, and columnist. Born in New York, her work has appeared in the Examiner, Yahoo News, Buzzfeed, among others.

Previous Post: « What Did the “D” in D-Day Stand For During the Allied Landing in Normandy on June 6, 1944?
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