expose

1.nounB2

Definition

a detailed news article, documentary, or book that reveals secret information about a person or organization, typically involving illegal or immoral activities that the subject wanted to keep hidden

Example

The newspaper published a shocking exposé of the company's illegal waste dumping.

collocation: an exposé of [scandal/wrongdoing]

Maeve's documentary was an exposé of child labour in the clothing industry.

Common collocations

an exposé of
publish an exposé
explosive exposé
investigative exposé

Synonyms

revelation
a broader term that does not require a full publication; a single fact can be a revelation
disclosure
more formal and neutral; can apply to any release of information, not necessarily shocking
whistleblowing
refers specifically to an insider reporting wrongdoing within their own organization

Grammar Patterns

an exposé of + noun

Usage Note

Frequently followed by an 'of'-phrase naming the subject of the investigation. The word is borrowed from French and retains the acute accent on the 'e', though the accent is sometimes omitted in informal writing.

Common Mistakes

The newspaper published an expose about the politician.

The newspaper published an exposé of the politician.

the standard collocation uses 'of', not 'about'.

1.verbtransitiveB1

Definition

to take away or remove whatever is covering or hiding something, so that what was underneath becomes visible

Example

The storm tore off part of the roof and exposed the attic to the rain.

remove covering to reveal what is underneath

Ilan carefully exposed the fossil by brushing away the loose soil.

Common collocations

expose + [skin/roots/surface]
expose to [air/light/weather]
fully exposed
partially exposed

Synonyms

reveal
can be physical or abstract; broader than expose
uncover
very similar but suggests removing a specific covering rather than laying bare
bare
more dramatic, often used for body parts or emotional states

Antonyms

cover
to put something over
hide
to keep out of sight

Grammar Patterns

expose + noun phrase

Usage Note

Often used with a concrete object (a surface, a body part, an object) when the covering is physical. Distinguish from sense 2 (PHOTOGRAPHIC), which involves light acting on film, and sense 5 (REVEAL WRONGDOING), which is abstract.

Common Mistakes

The journalist exposed the truth about the scandal.' (abstract — should use sense 5).

The archaeologist exposed the ancient wall by digging around it.

use this sense only for physical uncovering.

2.verbtransitiveB2

Definition

to let light strike a piece of photographic film, paper, or a digital sensor in order to create a picture

Example

The photographer exposed the film for a split second to capture the bird in flight.

expose + film/sensor + for [duration]

Niran accidentally exposed the roll of film when he opened the camera back too soon.

Common collocations

expose + [film/plate/paper/sensor]
expose to light
expose for [time period]

Synonyms

shoot
informal, general term for taking photographs
capture
common in digital photography, less technical

Grammar Patterns

expose + noun phrase + to + noun phrase

Usage Note

In digital photography 'expose' is still used, but less often than in film photography. The noun 'exposure' is more common in everyday photographic talk ('long exposure', 'double exposure').

Common Mistakes

I exposed the photo on my phone.

I took a photo on my phone.

'expose' is not used for digital point-and-shoot photography; it is specific to film or manual sensor control.

3.verbtransitive / intransitiveC1

Definition

if someone exposes themselves, they deliberately reveal their private body parts where others are present, making it a criminal act under indecency laws

Example

The man was arrested for exposing himself on the beach in front of families.

reflexive: expose + himself/herself

Rania called the police after seeing a man expose himself near the public swimming pool.

Common collocations

expose oneself
charged with exposing himself
arrested for exposing

Synonyms

indecent exposure
the legal term for the crime itself, not the verb

Grammar Patterns

expose + reflexive pronoun

Usage Note

Almost always used reflexively with 'himself' or 'herself'. The act itself is called 'indecent exposure'. This sense is rarely used outside of legal or news contexts.

4.verbtransitiveB2

Definition

to put a person, group, or thing in a situation where they are unprotected against something harmful such as disease, poison, danger, or bad conditions

Example

Without a mask, Imani exposed herself to smoke from the burning building.

reflexive: expose + oneself + to [harm]

The old water pipes exposed the whole neighbourhood to unsafe levels of lead.

Common collocations

be exposed to + [chemicals/disease/radiation/risk/danger]
expose + [someone] + to + [harm]

Synonyms

subject
more formal; emphasizes the authority that imposes the risk
endanger
stronger; implies serious threat to life or safety

Antonyms

protect
to keep safe from harm
shield
to block something from reaching or affecting someone

Grammar Patterns

expose + noun phrase + to + noun phrase

Usage Note

Very common in passive voice: 'be exposed to [something harmful]'. The preposition 'to' is always required. The object of 'to' can be a physical substance (chemicals, radiation) or an abstract danger (risk, criticism, abuse).

Common Mistakes

The workers were exposed with dangerous chemicals.

The workers were exposed to dangerous chemicals.

always use 'to', not 'with'.

5.verbtransitiveB2

Definition

to make hidden dishonest, illegal, or shameful behaviour known to the public, especially after an investigation

Example

The investigation exposed a network of bribery among local government officials.

expose + [scandal/corruption/fraud]

Ritu's hidden camera exposed the cruel treatment of workers at the factory.

Common collocations

expose + [corruption/fraud/scandal/abuse/crime]
expose + [sb] + as + [fraud/liar/criminal]

Synonyms

reveal
more general; can apply to any secret, not only wrongdoing
uncover
suggests the truth was discovered through active searching or investigation
disclose
more formal and neutral; often used for officially releasing information

Antonyms

cover up
to prevent something bad from being discovered
conceal
to keep something hidden on purpose

Grammar Patterns

expose + noun phrase

Usage Note

The object is typically a scandal, corruption, fraud, crime, or unethical practice — something that was deliberately concealed. The person who does the exposing is often a journalist, whistleblower, or investigator.

Common Mistakes

The teacher exposed the student's mistake to the class.

The teacher pointed out the student's mistake to the class.

'expose' is too strong for minor errors; it implies serious wrongdoing.

6.verbtransitiveB2

Definition

to give someone the chance to learn about or become familiar with something new, such as an art form, culture, activity, or way of life

Example

The school trip exposed the students to traditional music and dance from Ghana.

expose + someone + to + [new experience/culture]

Léa's part-time job in the hospital exposed her to the daily realities of nursing.

Common collocations

expose + [sb] + to + [art/culture/music/ideas/literature]
be exposed to + [new/different/foreign]

Synonyms

introduce
gentler; suggests a first encounter that may not be sustained
acquaint with
more formal; implies gradual familiarization

Antonyms

isolate from
to keep someone away from experiences or influences
shelter from
to protect someone from experiences, often to their disadvantage

Grammar Patterns

expose + noun phrase + to + noun phrase

Usage Note

Always takes 'to'. The experiencer is usually the direct object and the new thing follows 'to'. This sense is unambiguously positive — it describes enrichment, not harm. Distinguish from sense 4 (PUT AT RISK), where 'expose to' introduces something harmful.

Common Mistakes

The teacher exposed the students to the test results.

The teacher showed the students the test results.

'expose to' is for new experiences or learning, not for simply showing information.

Word family

exposure
nounB2
exposed
adjectiveB2
exposé
nounC1
exposition
nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/5

Expose and reveal both mean making something known, but expose carries a stronger negative charge — it implies that the truth involves corruption, crime, or scandal. Reveal is more neutral: a friend can reveal a surprise party, a scientist can reveal a discovery, and a witness can reveal what they saw. Disclose is a formal word often used in official or legal settings; companies disclose their financial results, and patients disclose their medical history to a doctor. Divulge suggests that the information was private or confidential and that sharing it may be a breach of trust. Uncover specifically implies effort and investigation — a reporter uncovers a story by digging through documents and interviewing sources. For example, a journalist exposes government corruption, a company discloses its annual earnings, a former employee divulges trade secrets, and an archaeologist uncovers an ancient tomb.

expose ↗reveal ↗disclose ↗divulge ↗uncover ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

be exposed to
expose oneself to

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'expose' comes from Latin 'exponere', which is made up of 'ex-' (meaning 'out') and 'ponere' (meaning 'to put or place'). It arrived in English through Old French 'exposer' during the 1400s, with the original meaning of 'to set forth or display'. Over time it developed the sense of 'laying bare' — first physically (removing a cover), then figuratively (revealing secrets). The photographic meaning appeared in the 1830s with the invention of photography. The noun 'exposé' was borrowed directly from French in the 1800s to describe a publication that reveals hidden scandals.

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expose

expose — noun

1. a detailed news article, documentary, or book that reveals secret information ab

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

expose — verb

1. to take away or remove whatever is covering or hiding something, so that what wa

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. to let light strike a piece of photographic film, paper, or a digital sensor in

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

3. if someone exposes themselves, they deliberately reveal their private body parts

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

4. to put a person, group, or thing in a situation where they are unprotected again

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

5. to make hidden dishonest, illegal, or shameful behaviour known to the public, es

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

6. to give someone the chance to learn about or become familiar with something new,

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

Word family

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

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