Show One’s True Colors, To 🎨
To reveal oneself frankly; to admit one’s genuine opinions or character. This term, the converse of “sail under false colors,” similarly alludes to the practice of deceiving the enemy by flying a friendly flag. However, it also was applied to cosmetics used to conceal or enhance a complexion. Thus Thomas Dekker wrote (A Description of a Lady by Her Lover, ca. 1632), “The reason why fond women love to buy Adulterate complexion: here ’tis read,—False colours last after the true be dead.” The metaphor was used for one’s genuine character by numerous writers, Dickens among them: “He didn’t venture to come out in his true colours” (The Old Curiosity Shop, 1840).
Related Terms
- Come clean: To confess or admit the truth about something.
- True to form: Behaving in the way that is expected based on past behavior or character.
- Drop the mask: To stop pretending and show what one is really like.
Synonyms
- Reveal
- Unmask
- Disclose
- Unveil
Antonyms
- Conceal
- Hide
- Disguise
- Mask
Humor-Filled Quotes
- “No one can be true to others without first being true to themselves.” - Slightly Sourpuss
- “It’s funny how ‘showing your true colors’ usually means you’ve been hiding a Picasso of craziness until now.” - Mirthful Musings
Proverbs and Sayings
- “The leopard cannot change its spots.” (Growing out of deceit is hard!)
- “A guilty conscience needs no accuser.” (The truth will out!)
Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies
Literature
- The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne: About revealing true character.
- The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde: Delve into hidden natures and true selves.
Books
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: Unmasking societal prejudices.
- The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger: Protagonist’s journey towards authenticity.
Songs
- True Colors by Cyndi Lauper: An anthem about revealing your real self.
- Behind Blue Eyes by The Who: The yearning and pain behind a facade.
Poetry
- We Wear the Mask by Paul Laurence Dunbar: A strong commentary on hiding true feelings.
Movies
- Shrek (2001): There’s more to ogres, and people, than meets the eye.
- The Truman Show (1998): Reality vs. facade in an idyllic town.
Farewell Thought: May we all have the courage to reveal our true colors, face life unmasked, and embrace authenticity with open hearts and minds. Until next time, keep smiling and showing your true shades, for they make the world a canvas of vibrant truths.
—Ella V. Layers, 2023
