sail under false colors

Cultural  

1. To behave deceptively; the “colors” of a ship are its identifying flags: “It turned out that the door-to-door sales rep was sailing under false colors and was actually a swindler.”

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sail under false colors Idioms  

1. see under false colors.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sail under false colors

I was anxious not to sail under false colors, and he expressed himself approvingly of my sentiment, assuring me that my personal views in politics could make no difference in my status on this occasion.

From Recollections of a Varied Life by George Cary Eggleston

He was obliged to sail under false colors until he reached Boydtown in his native State, where Morris, his mother's coachman, was waiting for him.

From Rodney The Partisan by Harry Castlemon

She doesn't like to sail under false colors and so insult old Dame Nature, whose kindnesses and benefits are so well meant and freely offered.

From The Woman Beautiful or, The Art of Beauty Culture by Helen Follett Stevans

I do not intend that either of us shall sail under false colors.

From The Rose in the Ring by George Barr McCutcheon

"You see I'm not trying to sail under false colors."

From The Bachelors A Novel by William Dana Orcutt