come out of shell

come out of (one's) shell

To be or become less shy or reticent and more sociable, outgoing, or enthusiastic. Wow, Anna has really come out of her shell lately. I remember when she wouldn't even talk to anyone, and now she's likely to be voted "Most Talkative." Jack is actually a very funny, engaging guy when he comes out of his shell. Samantha was quite a quiet girl growing up, but she really started coming out of her shell in college.

See also: come, of, out, shell

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

come out of one's shell

Fig. to become more friendly; to be more sociable. (Alludes to a shy turtle putting its head out of its shell.) Come out of your shell, Tom. Go out and make some friends.

See also: come, of, out, shell

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

come out of one's shell, to

To overcome one’s shyness or inhibitions. Ebenezer Brewer believed this saying alludes to the tortoise, which hides from danger by retreating under its shell. It might equally well allude to a newly hatched bird. “The shell must break before the bird can fly,” wrote Tennyson (The Ancient Sage, 1885).

See also: come, of, out, to

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer