English idiom

true to form

Register · Neutral CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

behaving exactly as one's character or previous conduct would lead others to expect

Word picture

Current behavior is pictured fitting the same familiar form or pattern seen before.

Example

“True to form, Lena arrived early and checked every detail before the meeting.”

Dictionary details

Component words

true form

Tags

comparison

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

below par

worse than the normal or expected standard

cut both ways

to produce both helpful and harmful effects or implications

far and away

By a very large margin, especially when one option or person clearly surpasses the rest.

horses for courses

different people or choices suit different tasks and circumstances

in the same ballpark

roughly similar in amount, size, or quality

in the same breath

said almost at the same time or as part of the same statement

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

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