Meaning
To reveal what you are really like - your genuine character, allegiance, or intentions - after keeping it hidden or presenting a different front. The revelation is usually unwelcome or worse than the impression given, though the phrase can be neutral or positive; British spelling is colours and American is colors. Informal to neutral; usually implies that the hidden truth is worse than the mask. Regional use: General English.
Origin
'Colours' has meant a ship's or regiment's flag since the 1580s according to Etymonline, which derives the figurative 'show one's (true) colors', to reveal one's real opinions or intentions, from that identifying-flag sense. The practice behind the metaphor is documented by the National Maritime Museum Cornwall: a ship going into battle would fly a false or neutral flag to disguise itself and hoist its national flag, its true colours, at the last moment before engaging. Related expressions from the same naval world include 'sail under false colours' and 'nail one's colours to the mast'. Etymonline gives no separate date for the figurative phrase itself, and popularly repeated early citations, such as a supposed Shakespeare use, circulate without firm documentation in the references consulted, so the first figurative occurrence remains unpinned. The flag sense of 'colours' and the naval deception practice are the well-attested parts of the story.
Research Sources
References used to check this entry’s meaning, history, or documented forms.
Variants
- reveal your true colours
- show one's true colours
- show your true colors
- show yourself in your true colours
Usage Examples
- He showed his true colours when he took credit for the intern's work in front of the whole team.
- The company showed its true colours by paying small suppliers late while posting record profits.
- Under pressure in the final ten minutes, the squad showed its true colours and fought back to win.