show true colors



show somebody's/something's true colors

also reveal somebody's/something's true colors
to let others see what someone or something is really like Hal's wife showed her true colors by getting a second job when he lost his. Workers felt the company revealed its true colors during the crisis.
See also: color, show, true

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Dessislava-Bulgarian
Ansaldo-Italian
Lavrentios-Greek
CydneySID-neeEnglish (Modern)
EveretteEV-ə-rit, ev-ə-RETEnglish
Sergius-Ancient Roman