flatter to deceive

flatter to deceive

To seem better or more promising than someone or something really is. A: "I can't believe that team didn't make the playoffs after starting the season so well." B: "I guess they just flattered to deceive."
See also: deceive, flatter
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

flatter to deceive

encourage on insufficient grounds and cause disappointment.
1913 Field Two furlongs from home Maiden Erlegh looked most dangerous, but he flattered only to deceive.
See also: deceive, flatter
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • (someone or something) promises well
  • he, it, etc. promises well
  • shout about
  • to shout about
  • (someone or something) to shout about
  • eliminate (someone or something) from (something)
  • eliminate from
  • blow (something) out of (all) proportion
  • blow out of proportion
  • candy-coat
References in periodicals archive
Year after year they flatter to deceive and that's about the only flattering thing you can say about them.
BLADES CAN'T CUT IT; BETTING SPY
Scholes suggested a bit of devil was what Arsenal needed to turn them from crowd-pleasers to trophy winners after six seasons without any silverware.The Gunners just flatter to deceive. They may play the prettiest football, but it doesn't always produce the results they need.
Arsenal is not a serious Premier League title contender: Scholes
It is beginning to look bleak for boss Roy Keane and more often than not the Tractor Boys flatter to deceive.
INSIDE INFORMATION; Odds-compilers' views on the weekend action
Big-spending NEATH continue to flatter to deceive as they could only draw 1-1 at PRESTATYN.
New Saints are back with a bang; WELSH PREMIER ROUND-UP
Kangaroos Test centre Matt King and influential Welsh half-back Lee Briers, they continue to flatter to deceive.
Warrington The under-achievers; Opposition guide
ONCE again it looks like the Blues will flatter to deceive.
Your Shout: Blues' derby reaction
Shearer apart, they flatter to deceive, and there's no reason why we can't give them plenty of think about.
Bernie says
Abbey Social always flatter to deceive but maybe their time has come to fulfil their ambitions although they face no easy task at Arley WMC in their pipe-opener.
DARTS: Double win is boost for Mount Pleasant
Colchester and Cambridge would have come into my calculations but the former always seem to flatter to deceive and the latter have sold their best young players.
IT'S TAFF AT THE TOP
And Scot Eddie Thomson, the boss of Australia, also insists the Ajaxinspired nation flatter to deceive.
The legend of sleepy Holland; Guu's guys a Dutch slow to get started
Decent in friendlies, on the big dates they flatter to deceive, pretty much like a Wonderbra.
ISRAELIS HAVE TO BE WORTH A POP; RESULT!
"Certainly, they no longer flatter to deceive. Bold, balanced, bright and hungry, Andrew Strauss's side is better placed than most predecessors to issue a serious challenge," he added.
Aussies face fight of their life to retain World Cup crown: Roebuck
FILIPPO VOLANDRI used to be a serious force on clay but the old stager tends to flatter to deceive in top-level events these days and can be taken on with Marcel Granollers in round two of the BCR Open Romania.
Granollers may expose Volandri shortcomings; TENNIS
Arsenal sometimes flatter to deceive. I think they may come unstuck.
Red all over
Undoubtedly they will be alongside quality and will be up for it on the big stage,but they can often flatter to deceive at club level.
Howard Kendall: BewareEuro stars