true to

1. true to life . Consistent with reality, realistically represented, as in This painting is very true to life . [Early 1800s] For true to form , see under run to form .

2. Conforming to or consistent with, as in The speech was true to the party platform , or True to type, he died while working at his desk .

3. Loyal or faithful to, as in She knew he'd be true to his marriage vows , or, as Shakespeare had Polonius tell Hamlet, “This above all, to thine own self be true” ( Hamlet , 1:3). [c. 1200]