come out of one's shell

You are wondering about the meaning of the phrase come out of one's shell, maybe you heard it in a TV show, movie or theater play. Although this idiom is not used very often, it enriches your capacity of expression and strengthens communication. In which case is the expression come out of one's shell used and what is its meaning?

Meaning of "come out of one's shell"

Meaning

The idiom 'come out of one's shell' has two primary meanings. The first is to become more outgoing and sociable in personality. This could mean gaining confidence to speak more freely in a group or making new friends. The second is to reveal an inner self or becoming more open with people.

Etymology

This idiom is believed to have a nautical origin, as the phrase ‘come out of a shell’ was used by sailors when they were setting out to sea with great cargo. In this context, it meant that the ship was coming out of a safe harbor and emerging into the greater, open and unknown ocean. In the same way, this phrase has come to be used to describe a person coming out of a safe and protected place, be it a metaphorical or real one.

Usage

This idiom is used to describe both a person's inner self and outward personality coming out into the open. It usually implies that they have been hiding something or not fully revealing of who they truly are. It can be used in a negative or positive connotation, depending on the context, but often implies a positive transformation.

Example Sentences

• After years of being shy, Hannah finally came out of her shell when she started college.
• John was a really great person underneath it all, but it took a while for him to come out of his shell.
• Mary has really come out of her shell since she started working at the company.

Idioms with similar meanings in different languages

"Barking up the wrong tree" is an English idiom that means to pursue a mistaken or misguided course of action. In German, the similar idiom is "Auf dem Holzweg sein," which translates to "To be on the wrong track." This idiom emphasizes the idea that when you are pursuing the wrong course of action, you are not going to achieve your desired outcome.