lay bare

The phrase "lay bare" is often used metaphorically to describe the act of revealing something hidden or secret.

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Definition

B2General

(figurative)To reveal or uncover something that was hidden or not immediately obvious.

Example

The investigation laid bare the corruption within the organization.

B2General

(figurative)To expose or make something known, often something sensitive or secret.

Example

The memoir lays bare the author's struggles with addiction.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "lay bare":

bare one's breast lay open expose oneself lay out lay on the line lay over bare all lay by lay about lay on lay down lay figure lay away lay back lay to come clean breast one's cards lay into show some skin lie back stark naked lay in lay waste bare one's teeth lay aside lie behind spread eagle blow the gaff lie over strip down belly out air out have it out show oneself make known spill one's guts lie down tell all