expose
expose — noun
1. a detailed news article, documentary, or book that reveals secret information ab
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
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.
The journalist won an award for her exposé of corruption within city government.
After the exposé appeared on television, the senator resigned from office.
- 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
文法句型
an exposé of + noun
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
expose — verb
1. to take away or remove whatever is covering or hiding something, so that what wa
to take away or remove whatever is covering or hiding something, so that what was underneath becomes visible
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.
The demolition team exposed the original brick fireplace behind the false wall.
When Minho pulled back the old carpet, it exposed a beautiful wooden floor beneath it.
文法句型
expose + noun phrase
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
2. to let light strike a piece of photographic film, paper, or a digital sensor in
to let light strike a piece of photographic film, paper, or a digital sensor in order to create a picture
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.
Vivek exposed the camera sensor for thirty seconds to capture the stars clearly.
Élise exposed the photographic paper under the enlarger for exactly twelve seconds.
文法句型
expose + noun phrase + to + noun phrase
用法筆記
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').
常見錯誤
3. if someone exposes themselves, they deliberately reveal their private body parts
if someone exposes themselves, they deliberately reveal their private body parts where others are present, making it a criminal act under indecency laws
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.
The court sentenced him to community service for exposing himself in a public square.
After a neighbour filed a complaint, Gabriel was convicted of exposing himself in a children's playground.
- indecent exposure
the legal term for the crime itself, not the verb
文法句型
expose + reflexive pronoun
用法筆記
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. to put a person, group, or thing in a situation where they are unprotected again
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
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.
Leaving small toys near a baby exposes the child to the risk of choking.
Mert's weak lungs exposed him to frequent chest infections during the winter.
文法句型
expose + noun phrase + to + noun phrase
用法筆記
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).
常見錯誤
5. to make hidden dishonest, illegal, or shameful behaviour known to the public, es
to make hidden dishonest, illegal, or shameful behaviour known to the public, especially after an investigation
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.
A former employee exposed the company's practice of hiding profits from tax officials.
The newspaper exposed the charity director for using donations to buy luxury cars.
文法句型
expose + noun phrase
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
6. to give someone the chance to learn about or become familiar with something new,
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
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.
Through a school exchange program, Linh was exposed to village life in rural Kenya.
Paul's parents exposed him to classical music and art from a very young age.
- introduce
gentler; suggests a first encounter that may not be sustained
- acquaint with
more formal; implies gradual familiarization
- isolate from
to keep someone away from experiences or influences
- shelter from
to protect someone from experiences, often to their disadvantage
文法句型
expose + noun phrase + to + noun phrase
用法筆記
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.