unmask

IPA/ˌʌnˈmɑːsk/
KK[ənmˈæsk]IPA/ˌʌnˈmæsk/

unmask — verb

  • unmaskpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • unmaskshe / she / it
  • unmaskedpast simple
  • unmasking-ing form

1. to reveal a hidden, negative truth about a person, organisation, or situation —

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to reveal a hidden, negative truth about a person, organisation, or situation — especially when they have been pretending to be good or honest

例句

The investigation unmasked the charity as a front for illegal money transfers.

unmask + noun phrase + as + hidden identity

A hidden camera finally unmasked Mayor Lucas accepting envelopes of cash from builders.

同義詞
  • expose

    broader; can apply to any wrongdoing, not just hypocrisy

  • reveal

    neutral; used for positive or negative discoveries

  • uncover

    suggests a gradual process of finding something hidden

  • bring to light

    more formal, focuses on the result rather than the agent

反義詞
  • conceal

    to keep something hidden on purpose

  • cover up

    to hide wrongdoing or a scandal

文法句型

unmask + noun phrase + as + hidden identity

unmask + noun phrase + V-ing

unmask + how/that-clause

用法筆記

Frequently used with as to introduce the hidden identity (unmask sb/sth as…). The object is typically an organisation, a person in power, or a practice that has been kept secret.

常見錯誤

❌The journalist unmasked the company's bad reputation.
✅The journalist unmasked the company's illegal practices.
💡unmask is for revealing a hidden truth, not for stating something already known.

2. to take off a physical mask from your own face or from someone else's face

2.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to take off a physical mask from your own face or from someone else's face

例句

The nurse gently unmasked the patient after the breathing treatment was finished.

At midnight the carnival performers finally unmasked and wiped sweat from their faces.

unmask (intransitive) — remove one's own mask

同義詞
  • remove

    more general; works with any covering, not just masks

  • take off

    informal; common for removing any item of clothing or accessory

反義詞
  • mask

    to put on a mask or hide one's face

  • disguise

    to change appearance so that identity is hidden

文法句型

unmask + noun phrase (person)

unmask (no object)

unmask + reflexive pronoun

用法筆記

Can be used transitively (unmask someone else) or intransitively (unmask = remove one's own mask). The reflexive form (unmask oneself) is also common. Literal use is much less frequent than the figurative sense in modern English.