the flag of a country other than one's own, especially when used deceptively.
2.
false or deceptive actions or statements; misrepresentation.
Origin
1565-75, for literal sense
false color
noun
1.
photography using infrared-sensitive film that produces images in which heat-emitting areas or objects appear red.
Origin
1965-70
Related forms
false-color, adjective
Examples from the web for false colors
Bathymetric maps often use false colors to illustrate different aquatic depths.
Idioms and Phrases with false colors
false colors
Pretense, misrepresentation, or hypocrisy; deceptive statements or actions. For example, She's sailing under false colors—she claims to be a Republican, but endorses Democratic legislation. This term alludes to the practice of pirate ships sailing under false colors—that is, running a particular flag specifically to lure another vessel close enough to be captured. [ Late 1600s ]