View synonyms for false colors

false colors

plural noun

the flag of a country other than one's own, especially when used deceptively:
sailing under false colors.
false or deceptive actions or statements; misrepresentation.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of false colors¹

1565–75, for literal sense

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Idioms and Phrases

Pretense, misrepresentation, or hypocrisy; deceptive statements or actions. For example, She's sailing under false colors—she claims to be a Republican, but endorses Democratic legislation . This term alludes to the practice of pirate ships sailing under false colors —that is, running a particular flag specifically to lure another vessel close enough to be captured. [Late 1600s]

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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