English Explanatory Dictionary

hide one's light under a bushel

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To conceal one's positive qualities or talents, especially due to modesty or shyness; to avoid attention.

Pronunciation

/ˌhaɪd wʌnz ˈlaɪt ˌʌndɚ‿ə ˈbʊʃl̩/ /ˌhaɪd wʌnz ˈlaɪt ˌʌndɚ‿ə ˈbʊʃ(ə)l/ En-au-hide one's light under a bushel.ogg

Word forms

hide one's light under a bushel hides one's light under a bushel hiding one's light under a bushel hid one's light under a bushel hidden one's light under a bushel

Etymology

Originally a reference to one of Jesus Christ’s parables recorded in Matthew 5:14–15, Mark 4:21–25, and Luke 8:16–18 of the Bible. For example, in the King James Version the passage from Matthew states (spelling modernized): “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill, cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel: but on a candlestick, and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven.” The parable uses the imagery of a candle hidden under an overturned bushel (“a dry-measure vessel with a capacity of eight gallons”), and is interpreted as a call to Christians to set a good example through their actions that other people may come to believe in the faith.

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