Under no illusions

Meaning

The idiom "under no illusions" means that someone is not naive or gullible, and they are fully aware of the reality of a situation. It indicates that a person has a clear understanding of what's happening and isn't trying to deny or minimize it.

Usage

• "I told him he was under no illusions about the company's financial health."
• "The new CEO has been under no illusions since taking over the struggling business."
• "She had been under no illusions about her chances of getting into medical school."
• "We are under no illusions about the challenges ahead in this project."
• "I always tell my kids they're under no illusions about the consequences of their actions."

Roots and History

The idiom has been in use since at least the 17th century, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. It is derived from the phrase "under no illusion," which means having a clear and true understanding of something. The phrase has been used metaphorically to describe someone who is fully aware of a situation's reality.

Synonyms in English

• Not fooled
• Not deceived
• Not misled
• Not deluded
• Not blind to the truth

Synonyms in other languages

• 分別 (Fēn bè) - Chinese - Lit. "separately" or "distinctly," used to describe someone who is not deceived or misled by a situation.
• לבושים כישרים (Levushim kysharim) - Hebrew - Lit. "pure hearts," used to describe someone who has a clear understanding of reality and is not naive.
• נפחסה (Nefkhosah) - Hebrew - Lit. "sorrowful," used to describe someone who is fully aware of the challenges ahead in a situation.
• אין שבועים לו (Ein shavuiim lo) - Hebrew - Lit. "there are no illusions for him," used to describe someone who has a clear understanding of reality.
• הצהרך כופסן (Hatzherokes kofpesn) - Hebrew - Lit. "duty and responsibility," used to describe someone who is fully aware of the consequences of their actions.

Similar Idioms

• blind impulse

• mark my words

• faux pas