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Phrase(s): sail under false colors
1. Lit. to sail with false identification. (Pirates often sailed under the national flag of the ship they planned on attacking.) • The ship, sailing under false colors, suddenly started to pursue our ship. • Bluebeard the pirate was known for sailing under false colors. 2. Fig. to function deceptively. • You are not who you seem to be. You are sailing under false colors. • Tom was sailing under false colors and finally got found out.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs