hide (one's) light under a bushel

hide (one's) light under a bushel

To avoid utilizing or emphasizing one's talents. Don't give up drawing! You're a talented artist and shouldn't hide your light under a bushel.See also: bushel, hide, light

hide one's light under a bushel

Fig. to conceal one's good ideas or talents. (A biblical theme.) Jane has some good ideas, but she doesn't speak very often. She hides her light under a bushel. Don't hide your light under a bushel. Share your thoughts with other people.See also: bushel, hide, light

hide one's light under a bushel

Show extreme modesty, as in Even after Paul won the scholarship be went on hiding his light under a bushel. This expression, which does not necessarily express approval of this behavior, has its origin in the New Testament (Matthew 5:15): "Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick." [Early 1600s] See also: bushel, hide, light

hide your light under a bushel

If you hide your light under a bushel, you do not let people know about your skills and good features. If you have knowledge your superiors don't, or if you can do something they can't, don't be tempted to hide your light under a bushel for fear of upsetting them. We are proud of the facilities in Newmarket and this is not the time to hide our light under a bushel. Note: If you do not hide your light under a bushel, you are very confident about your skills and good features, and not at all modest. There are those who find his vanity off-putting. He does not hide his light under a bushel. Note: This is from the Bible, where Jesus says: `Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick.' (Matthew 5:15) See also: bushel, hide, light

hide your light under a bushel

keep quiet about your talents or accomplishments. A bushel is a unit of measurement equal to eight gallons: in former times the word also referred to a container able to hold this amount. The expression has its source in Matthew 5:15: ‘neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick’. 1997 Spectator Actors are not naturally people who believe in hiding their light under a bushel. See also: bushel, hide, light

hide your ˌlight under a ˈbushel

(British English) not let people know that you are good at something: We didn’t know you could play the guitar! You’ve been hiding your light under a bushel all this time!This phrase comes from the Bible.See also: bushel, hide, light

hide your light under a bushel

Not to reveal hidden abilities. The expression is usually used in advice to reveal those talents and then use them. A bushel was a container for measuring grain. In Matthew 15:15, Jesus said, “Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel but on a candlestick.”See also: bushel, hide, light