(one's) (true) stripes
One's true or honest beliefs, thoughts, convictions, biases, desires, etc.; one's real personality, character, or disposition. (A less common variant of "one's (true) colors.") Dave said all along that he only wanted this deal because it was in the company's best interest, but he showed his true stripes once he realized that he wouldn't get any special commission for his efforts. You will really see your friends' true stripes when you call upon them in a time of crisis. A: "I know you don't want to believe that your own brother would betray you like this, but the evidence against him is pretty damning." B: "Have I been blind to his true stripes all these years?"
a change in (one's) stripes
A radical, fundamental shift in one's opinion, ideology, or allegiance, especially in relation to politics. Derived from the phrase "a tiger cannot change its stripes," meaning that people are incapable of changing their essential nature. The former president has shown a change in stripes regarding social welfare since leaving office. You're never going to convince Tom about this—he's too stubborn. You'll never see a change in his stripes. Wow, Ben must have had a change in his stripes if he's supporting the more liberal candidate.
a tiger can't change its stripes
proverb One will stay true to one's nature, even if one pretends or claims otherwise. After our breakup, he came crawling back, trying to convince me that he'd changed, but I know that a tiger can't change its stripes. You're never going to convince Tom about this—he's too stubborn, and a tiger can't change its stripes. A: "Come on, a tiger can't change its stripes." B: "I thought so too, but the former president really seems to have changed his views on social welfare since leaving office."
a tiger doesn't change its stripes
proverb One will stay true to one's nature, even if one pretends or claims otherwise. After our breakup, he came crawling back, trying to convince me that he'd changed, but I know that a tiger doesn't change its stripes. You're never going to convince Tom about this—he's too stubborn, and a tiger doesn't change its stripes. A: "Come on, a tiger doesn't change its stripes." B: "I thought so too, but the former president really seems to have changed his views on social welfare since leaving office."
a zebra can't change its stripes
proverb One will stay true to one's nature, even if one pretends or claims otherwise. After our breakup, he came crawling back, trying to convince me that he'd changed, but I know that a zebra can't change its stripes. The CEO vowed to reform himself and his company following the lawsuit, but I think most people will realize that zebras can't change their stripes. A: "Come on, a zebra can't change its stripes." B: "I thought so too, but the former president really seems to have changed his views on social welfare since leaving office."
a zebra doesn't change its stripes
proverb One will stay true to one's nature, even if one pretends or claims otherwise. After our breakup, he came crawling back, trying to convince me that he'd changed, but I know that a zebra doesn't change its stripes. The CEO vowed to reform himself and his company following the lawsuit, but I think most people will realize that zebras don't change their stripes. A: "Come on, a tiger doesn't change its stripes." B: "I thought so too, but the former president really seems to have changed his views on social welfare since leaving office."
change (one's) spots
To radically or fundamentally shift one's opinion, ideology, or allegiance, especially in relation to politics. Derived from the phrase "a leopard cannot change its spots," meaning that people are incapable of changing their essential nature. The former president seems to have changed her spots regarding social welfare since leaving office. You're never going to convince Tom about this—he's too stubborn. A guy like that can't change his spots. Wow, Ben must have changed his spots if he's supporting the more liberal candidate.
change (one's) stripes
To radically or fundamentally shift one's opinion, ideology, or allegiance, especially in relation to politics. Often used in negative constructions. Derived from the phrase "a tiger cannot change its stripes," meaning that people are incapable of changing their essential nature. The former governor has changed her stripes regarding social welfare since leaving office. You're never going to convince Tom about this. A guy so set in his beliefs like Tom can't change his stripes. Wow, Ben must have changed his stripes if he's supporting the more liberal candidate.
earn (one's) spurs
To prove one's skill in a particular area. Once you've watched the triplets for an entire day, then you'll have earned your spurs as a caretaker, as far as I'm concerned. After getting my bachelor's degree, I earned my spurs as a teacher by working in underfunded urban schools. You definitely need to earn your spurs in her department. Résumés don't impress her much.
earn (one's) stripes
To prove that one is deserving of a particular position or designation. I told the recruiter that I earned my stripes as a teacher before moving into administration. You'll need to earn your stripes around here before they consider you for a different position. The head of the department is not easily impressed, so you definitely need to earn your stripes as the file clerk before she'll consider you for a full-time position.
of all stripes
Of many varieties or types. You meet people of all stripes when you live in a big city. When the famous author came to campus, students of all stripes attended his lecture—even those who'd barely been to class all year.
of every stripe
Of many varieties or types. You meet people of every stripe when you live in a big city. When the famous author came to campus, students of every stripe attended his lecture—even those who'd barely been to class all year.
of the same stripe
Of the same or similar kind; in the same vein; along the same lines. You'll often get arguments of the same stripe from undergraduate students full of undigested learning, who think they know how to fix all of society's ills. He identifies himself as a socialist, but not of the same stripe as the Marxists and Leninists of the mid-20th century.
reveal (one's) (true) stripes
To reveal what one really believes, thinks, or wants; to act in accordance with one's real personality, character, or disposition. (A less common variant of "show one's (true) colors.") Dave said all along that he only wanted this deal because it was in the company's best interest, but he revealed his true stripes 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 stripes.
show (one's) (true) stripes
To reveal what one really believes, thinks, or wants; to act in accordance with one's real personality, character, or disposition. (A less common variant of "show one's (true) colors.") Dave said all along that he only wanted this deal because it was in the company's best interest, but he showed his true stripes 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 show their stripes.
the Stars and Stripes
The American flag. You can always count on Dad to hang up the ol' Stars and Stripes for the Fourth of July.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.