ENGLISH
REFERENCE

will the real someone please stand up

idiom
Meaning

A request for the real person or thing to be identified from among others that are similar.


Origin

disputed origin

From the 1950s panel show To Tell the Truth, in which the line was said after votes came in as to who the people thought was the real person they were supposed to find out.

Examples
SIMPLE

There are many fake accounts here; will the real owner please stand up?

CONTEXTUAL

We have received several conflicting reports about the accident, so will the real witness please stand up?

COMPLEX

In a room full of people claiming credit for the discovery, the lead scientist finally asked, will the real author of this research please stand up?

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    as if someone owns the place

    Alternative form of like someone owns the place.

  2. 02

    beat someone round the ears

    To beat (a person) with blows about the head.

  3. 03

    bless someone with

    To give or bestow, as a gift from God.

  4. 04

    blow this pop stand

    To exit or remove oneself from a less than exciting location or environment.

  5. 05

    blow this Popsicle stand

    To leave a place, often with anger or anticipation of going somewhere more exciting.

  6. 06

    bring someone to their knees

    To defeat and make submit to orders.

  7. 07

    call someone every name in the book

    To call someone many abusive names.

  8. 08

    call someone everything but a child of God

    To call someone many abusive names.

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