# exposing

/ɪkˈspoʊzɪŋ/ (US) · /ɛkspˈəʊzɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/exposing
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. revealing a secret

verb · CEFR B2

showing the truth about something, especially something bad or dishonest.

For teachers: revealing the true nature or hidden details of a situation, often involving wrongdoing or a scandal.

- The journalist spent months exposing the corruption within the local government.
- By exposing the systemic flaws in the banking sector, the report triggered a nationwide conversation about financial ethics and oversight.

Usage: Often used with an object representing a secret, a lie, or a scandal.

### 2. uncovering something

verb · CEFR B2

removing a cover so that you can see what is underneath.

For teachers: removing a protective layer or covering to make something visible or accessible.

- They started digging, slowly exposing the ancient stone walls of the city.
- The receding floodwaters were gradually exposing the damage done to the foundations of the coastal villas.

Usage: Commonly used in physical contexts like archaeology, construction, or nature.

### 3. making vulnerable

verb · CEFR B2

leaving someone or something without protection from something harmful.

For teachers: subjecting someone or something to a risk, a harmful influence, or harsh weather conditions.

- Walking in the rain without a coat is exposing you to a cold.
- The lack of digital security was exposing the company's most sensitive client data to potential hackers.

Usage: Often follows the pattern 'exposing someone to something'.

## Examples

- The investigation is exposing the truth about the company.
- By removing the old wallpaper, they were exposing the original brickwork of the Victorian house.
- The journalist spent months undercover, eventually exposing a network of corruption that reached the highest levels of local government.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.