Synonym a Day

This term is used especially as in “flying under false colors” or “sailing under false colors”. The colors of a ship’s flag identifies it. When a ship sails under false colors, it is trying to deceive an enemy as to its true nature.]

Sometime next month, the new Bush economic team will propose another tax cut, probably labeled a “stimulus package.” It will be sailing under false colors, says Richard Kogan, an economist. [The tax cuts] won’t give much of a boost to the sluggish economy in 200, he says. Rather, the tax package will aim its benefits primarily at corporations and stockholders, Mr. Kogan says. (David R. Francis, “Assessing the Form, Impact, of Looming Tax Package,” Christian Science Monitor, 12/16/2002.)