Learn English – Idiom for “just because you give something a different name, it doesn’t change what it is”

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I'm looking for a way to idiomatically express the sentiment that just because you give something a different name, or precede it with a disclaimer, it doesn't change what it is, e.g.:

  • "I mean this as constructive criticism, not an insult, but …"
  • "I'm not racist, but …"
  • "With all due respect …"

Best Answer

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. [Shakespeare]

(What matters is what something is, not what it is called. [Phrase Finder] )

Possibly inappropriate for an attempted cover-up.

If the focus is on the attempt to disguise what's about to follow,

sugaring the pill

fits:

sugar/sweeten the pill (British, American & Australian) also sugar-coat the pill (American)

to [attempt to] make something bad seem less unpleasant The government have cut income tax to sweeten the pill of a tough budget.

[Cambridge Idioms Dictionary, 2nd ed.]

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