give color to (something)
1. To add flourish or provide an interesting accompaniment to something. Idioms and metaphors are just some of the things that give color to language.
2. To embellish or exaggerate something so as to give it the appearance of truth, credibility, or plausibility. The defendant even bought used tickets to give color to his story of being at the opera when the murder took place.
pass (something) with flying colours
To win, achieve, or accomplish something exceptionally well or very successfully. Said especially of a test, examination, or training of some kind. Primarily heard in UK. Samantha was rather nervous taking her final exam, but she passed with flying colours! Your brother passed his apprenticeship with flying colours. He'll be a master builder in no time!
(one's) true colours
One's true or honest beliefs, thoughts, convictions, biases, desires, etc.; one's real personality, character, or disposition. Primarily heard in UK. Dave said all along that he only wanted this deal because it was in the company's best interest, but he showed his true colours once he realised that he wouldn't get any special commission for his efforts. You will really see your friends' true colours when you call upon them in a time of crisis.
reveal (one's) (true) colors
To reveal what one really believes, thinks, or wants; to act in accordance with one's real personality, character, or disposition. Primarily heard in US. Dave said all along that he only wanted this deal because it was in the company's best interest, but he revealed his true colors once he realized that he wouldn't get any special commission for his efforts. It's only in times of crisis that your friends will really reveal their colors.
show (one's) (true) colours
To reveal what one really believes, thinks, or wants; to act in accordance with one's real personality, character, or disposition. Primarily heard in UK. Dave said all along that he only wanted this deal because it was in the company's best interest, but he showed his true colours once he realised that he wouldn't get any special commission for his efforts. It's only in times of crisis that your friends will really show their colours.
under false colors
Using or under the guise of false pretenses, so as to deceive someone or to hide one's true nature or intentions. (An allusion to the identifying flags of a ship, and so usually used in the phrase "sail under false colors.") Primarily heard in US. Tim thought he could just put on fancy clothes and rub elbows with the upper crust that Janet's family socialized with, but everyone at the party knew he was sailing under false colors. I don't want to be accused of flying under false colors, so let me say straight away that I'm being paid to give a review of this product today.
be off-color
To be rude or vulgar; to be likely to offend others, especially due to being sexually explicit or suggestive. Primarily heard in US. A: "What did you think of the awards ceremony last night?" B: "The presenter's jokes were a bit too off-color for my taste."
see the colour of somebody's money
(British & Australian) also see the color of somebody's money (American & Australian) to make sure that someone can pay for something before you let them have it I want to see the colour of his money before I say the car's his.
nail your colours to the mast
(British & Australian) also nail your colors to the mast (American & Australian) to publicly state your opinions about a subject Nobody knows which way he's going to vote because he has so far refused to nail his colours to the mast.
See nail colours to the mast, show in true colourscome through/pass with flying colours
(British & Australian) also come through/pass with flying colors (American & Australian) to pass an examination with a very high score or to complete a difficult activity very successfully She took her university entrance exam in December and passed with flying colours. The officer training was gruelling, but he came through with flying colours.
be off-colour
(British & Australian) also be off-color (American & Australian) to not be feeling as well as usual He had flu a couple of months ago and he's been a bit off-colour ever since.
off-colour
(British & Australian) also off-color (American & Australian) off-colour jokes or remarks are about sex in a way that some people find offensive Some of his jokes were a little off-colour and I don't think my grandparents particularly appreciated them.
sail under false colours
(British & Australian) also sail under false colors (American & Australian) to pretend to be something that you are not in order to deceive people
Usage notes: If a ship sails under false colours, it uses the flag of another country in order to deceive people.
Lewis was sailing under false colours - he never told her he was a journalist. show somebody in their true colours
(British & Australian) also show somebody in their true colors (American & Australian) to show what someone's real character is, especially when it is unpleasant By showing the terrorists in their true colours, the government hopes to undermine public support for them.