come out of (one's) shell

(redirected from come out of our shell)

Like this video? Subscribe to our free daily email and get a new idiom video every day!

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

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

come out of your shell

COMMON If you come out of your shell, you become less shy and more confident. She used to be very timid and shy but I think she's come out of her shell. Note: You can say that someone or something brings you out of your shell when they cause you to be less shy and more confident. I think the job has brought her out of her shell. Note: You can also say that someone goes into or retreats into their shell, meaning that they become more shy and less confident. He went into his shell as he got older, seeing less and less of his friends. Note: The image is of a snail or shellfish, both of which go into their shells for protection.

See also: come, of, out, shell

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

come out of (or retreat into) your shell

become less (or more) shy and retiring.

See also: come, of, out, shell

come out of your ˈshell

bring somebody out of their ˈshell

(informal) become less shy and more confident when talking to other people: When Anna first joined the club, it took her a long time to come out of her shell.

See also: come, of, out, shell

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).