under false colors

Idioms  

1. see false colors.

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Example Sentences

He is however flying under false colors, and his constantly shifting stories are as bemusing to Jane as they are amusing to the audience.

From Los Angeles Times

During the campaign, Mr. Trump called for a temporary ban on all Muslim immigration, and as president he has tried to halt entry from Syria and a handful of other Muslim-majority countries, contending that some of the refugees and other migrants could be terrorists trying to slip into the United States under false colors.

From New York Times

Woolsey said on CNN that he did not want to “fly under false colors” any longer.

From Washington Post

"The summary and title 'hide the ball' and allow this initiative to 'fly under false colors' regarding the severity of medical issues that qualify for marijuana use," wrote Polston.

From Reuters

He ought not to tell tales, of course; that wasn't right; and yet--it was such a downright, dirty trick on Ellis' part--such a sailing under false colors-- And then, one morning, he found his perplexities increased.

From Project Gutenberg