burst someone's bubble
Destroy pleasant illusions
To burst someone's bubble is to shatter their illusions or destroy their pleasant but unrealistic beliefs: I hate to burst your bubble, but he's not interested in you.
The image is of a delicate soap bubble—beautiful but fragile, easily popped by contact with reality.
The phrase usually introduces unwelcome truths delivered with some reluctance.
- expectationsBeliefs about future outcomes
- pie in the skyUnrealistic hope or plan
- false hopeUnfounded expectation of success
- honestyTruthfulness, sincerity
- disillusionmentBitter loss of faith
disappointment · candor · truth-telling · straight talk · deflation · rain on parade · cold water · rude awakening · revelation · confrontation · letdown · naivety · optimism · shattering · reality check · wake-up call · correction · hopefulness
burst someone's bubblekeep up appearances
Pretend all is well
play along · blow smoke up someone's ass · build castles in the air
burst someone's bubblesugarcoat
Make something seem pleasanter
white lie · soften the blow · pull punches · gloss over · let sleeping dogs lie
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