Hide your light under a bushel
phrase
To hide your abilities or good qualities from other people.
He always hides his light under a bushel, so people don't realize his amazing talent.
Often appears as...
- he hides his light under a bushel
- don't hide your light under a bushel
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To hide your abilities or good qualities from other people.
He always hides his light under a bushel, so people don't realize his amazing talent.
Often appears as...
- he hides his light under a bushel
- don't hide your light under a bushel
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Origin
Understand it's a metaphor from a biblical context, implying one shouldn't conceal talents.
Although she's an excellent violinist, she often hides her light under a bushel.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Expression
It's a primarily British English phrase, less common in American English but still understood.
He hides his light under a bushel, not realizing the phrase is less common here in the US.
Pro Tip 3/3Self-Effacing
It implies modesty, sometimes to a fault, where one's skills may be overlooked.
Despite his many achievements, he tends to hide his light under a bushel.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Origin
Understand it's a metaphor from a biblical context, implying one shouldn't conceal talents.
Although she's an excellent violinist, she often hides her light under a bushel.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Expression
It's a primarily British English phrase, less common in American English but still understood.
He hides his light under a bushel, not realizing the phrase is less common here in the US.
Pro Tip 3/3Self-Effacing
It implies modesty, sometimes to a fault, where one's skills may be overlooked.
Despite his many achievements, he tends to hide his light under a bushel.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Origin
Understand it's a metaphor from a biblical context, implying one shouldn't conceal talents.
Although she's an excellent violinist, she often hides her light under a bushel.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Expression
It's a primarily British English phrase, less common in American English but still understood.
He hides his light under a bushel, not realizing the phrase is less common here in the US.
Pro Tip 3/3Self-Effacing
It implies modesty, sometimes to a fault, where one's skills may be overlooked.
Despite his many achievements, he tends to hide his light under a bushel.
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