show one's colors

[show one's colors] {v. phr.}

1. To show what you are really like.

* /We thought Toby was timid, but he showed his colors when he rescued the ponies from the burning barn./

2. To make known what you think or plan to do.

* /Mr. Ryder is afraid that he will lose the election if he shows his colors on civil rights./

* /We would not help Jim until he showed his colors./

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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms


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	color [color] See: CHANGE COLOR, GIVE COLOR TO or LEND COLOR TO, HAUL DOWN ONE'S COLORS, ... A Dictionary of American Idioms nail one's colors to the mast [nail one's colors to the mast] {literary} To let everyone know what you think is ... A Dictionary of American Idioms haul down one's colors [haul down one's colors] or [strike one's colors] {v. phr.} 1. To pull down a ... A Dictionary of American Idioms with flying colors [with flying colors] {adv. phr.} With great or total success; victoriously. * /Tow finished the ... A Dictionary of American Idioms sail under false colors [sail under false colors] {v. phr.} 1. To sail a ship, often pirate, under the ... A Dictionary of American Idioms strike one's colors [strike one's colors] See: HAUL DOWN ONE'S COLORS. A Dictionary of American Idioms show up [show up] {v.} 1. To make known the real truth about (someone). * /The man ... A Dictionary of American Idioms

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