exposeex‧pose /ɪkˈspəʊz $ -ˈspoʊz/ ●●○ W3 AWL verb [transitive] 
He lifted his T-shirt to expose a jagged scar across his chest.expose something to something Potatoes turn green when exposed to light.► see thesaurus at show2to something dangerous to put someone in a situation where they are not protected from something dangerous or unpleasantexpose somebody to something The report revealed that workers had been exposed to high levels of radiation.expose yourself to ridicule/criticism etc (=say or do something that may make people laugh at you, criticize you etc)3tell the truth to show the truth about someone or something, especially when it is bad: The film exposes the utter horror of war. The report exposes the weaknesses of modern medical practice.expose somebody as something The baron was exposed as a liar and a cheat.4see/experience to make it possible for someone to experience new ideas, ways of life etcexpose somebody to something Some children are never exposed to classical music.5expose yourself if a man exposes himself, he shows his sexual organs to someone he does not know in a public place, usually because he is mentally ill6photograph to allow light onto a piece of film in a camera in order to take a photograph7feelings to show other people feelings that you usually hide, especially when this is not planned: I’m afraid I might expose my real feelings for him.
WORD ORIGINexpose
Origin:
1400-1500 French exposer, from Latin exponere ‘to put out, explain’, from ponere ‘to put’VERB TABLE
expose
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | expose |
| he, she, it | exposes | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | exposed |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have exposed |
| he, she, it | has exposed | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had exposed |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will expose |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have exposed |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am exposing |
| he, she, it | is exposing | |
| you, we, they | are exposing | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was exposing |
| you, we, they | were exposing | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been exposing |
| he, she, it | has been exposing | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been exposing |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be exposing |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been exposing |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Her criminal activities were finally exposed in the Washington Post by political columnist Richard McCallum.
- I'm afraid to expose my innermost thoughts and emotions to anyone.
- The animal opened its mouth, exposing rows of sharp white teeth.
- The boy lifted his T-shirt to expose a jagged scar across his belly.
- The receding tide had exposed huge expanses of sand.
- They threatened to expose him to the media unless he changed his ways.
- Two reporters exposed corruption in Philadelphia's court system.
- And events since the Report have exposed the emptiness of any such expectation.
- As nice and as genuine as they are, they were not exposed to real people.
- Because methodology is fully exposed, genuine defects may be revealed, or more frustratingly, discussion sidetracked away from implications.
- But what began in May 1998 as a skirmish over a remote stretch of border exposed a deep reservoir of bitterness.
- He had his hands clasped behind his head and was leaning against the head-rest behind him so that his tanned throat was exposed.
- Mike was thoroughly embarrassed at having exposed intimate details of his life, but his classmates rallied around him.
- The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that stable workers could have been exposed to as much as 190 times the acceptable daily intake.
- They can read, watch television, or snack while they are exposed to the light.
THESAURUSlet someone see
to let someone see something, especially by holding it out in front of them: · Everyone has to show their identity cards at the entrance to the building.· Stephanie showed us her engagement ring.
to show something to someone very quickly: · ‘We’re police’, he said, flashing his card at us.· Miranda flashed a surprised look into the mirror.
especially spoken to show something to someone, especially so that they can examine it, repair it etc: · If the wound doesn’t get better soon, you should let the doctor take a look at it.· Mike’s good with cars – let him have a look.
especially written to let someone see or know about something that is usually hidden, or that you want to keep secret – often used about showing your feelings or private thoughts: · Suzy looked away quickly in order not to reveal her true feelings.· He lifted the lid of the box to reveal a small snake.
especially written to let someone see something that could not be seen before: · The receding tide had exposed huge expanses of sand.· The bear opened its mouth, exposing rows of sharp teeth.
Longman Language Activatorto let someone see something to let someone see something, especially by holding it out in front of them: · Everyone has to show their identity cards at the entrance to the building.show somebody something: · Stephanie showed us her engagement ring.· Show me what you're hiding under the desk, Johnny.show somebody something: · You have to show the security guard your pass.show something to somebody: · Neil showed his Pokemon card collection to Harry.
especially spoken to show something to someone, especially because they have asked to see it: · Could you let me see the menu?· How would you feel if I wrote something about you, but I wouldn't let you see it?· Hold it up to the light and let me see what color it is.
also let somebody have a look British to show something to someone, especially so that they can look at it closely, for example in order to fix it: · At least let Mike take a look -- he might be able to help.let sb take a look at: · Let me have a look at your necklace. Perhaps I can fix it.· Take your shirt off, and let me take a look at that cut on your shoulder.
to show something such as an official document or ticket to someone in an official position: · Please present your boarding card at the gate.present something to somebody: · All passports must be presented to the immigration officer.
formal to take something such as a ticket or official paper out of your pocket or bag and show it to someone in an official position: · The man fired from the car window when he was asked by a police officer to produce a license for the weapon.· Failure to produce a valid insurance certificate may result in criminal prosecution.
to very quickly show something such as a ticket to someone when you are entering or leaving a place: · He flashed his membership card as passed through the door.flash something at somebody: · Two police officers burst in, the latter hurriedly flashing his ID card at her as they made their way upstairs.
formal to let someone see something that is usually covered or hidden: · The animal opened its mouth, exposing rows of sharp white teeth.· The receding tide had exposed huge expanses of sand.
to let someone see something that is usually hidden or that they did not know was there: · She lifted the lid of the box to reveal a life-size porcelain baby doll.· A medical examination may reveal evidence of dietary deficiencies.
to tell someone something that was a secret to tell someone something that should be kept secret: · What did she say? Tell me!· If someone asked me to keep a secret I would never tell.tell somebody where/what/who etc: · He didn't tell me where he got this information.tell somebody about something: · Don't tell anyone about this just yet.tell somebody a secret: · Come here Eva - let me tell you a secret.tell somebody something in the strictest confidence (=tell someone something on the condition that they do not tell anyone): · I'm telling you this in the strictest confidence, so not a word to anyone.
especially written to let people know about something that was previously kept secret: · The company has just revealed its plans for the coming year, including the opening of new offices in Paris.· What actually happened to the gold has never been revealed.reveal (that): · Markov revealed that he had once worked for the CIA.· Ginsberg withdrew his application to become Attorney General after it was revealed that he had smoked marijuana at college.
to publicly reveal something such as a fact or a name that has been kept secret or hidden: · The agent does not have to disclose the amount his client paid.disclose that: · In the report it was disclosed that neither pilot nor controller had any experience of the radar system in use at the time of the crash.disclose information/details/evidence etc: · The Security Service is unlikely to disclose any information.disclose somebody's identity (=say who someone is): · He refused to disclose the identity of the politician.
to make a piece of important information known to the public, especially after keeping it secret for some time: · The Senator will make his decision public on Friday.· Reporters learned the news on Friday but agreed not to make it public until the following day.make it public that: · Freddie Mercury died only two days after making it public that he was suffering from AIDS.
formal to give someone some very important and often personal information which was previously secret or unknown: · The other three companies refused to divulge their plans.divulge what/where/when etc: · I'm afraid I cannot divulge what Jameson said to me.divulge something to somebody: · The contract forbids employees to divulge details of this work to anyone outside the company.
to tell the public about the secret activities of a person or organization, because you think that people ought to know about something morally wrong that is being done: · Her criminal activities were finally exposed in the Washington Post by political columnist Richard McCallum.expose to: · They threatened to expose him to the media unless he changed his ways.
to deliberately give secret government information to a newspaper or television company: · A man was charged today with leaking official secrets.· The Congressman was furious that the report had been leaked.leak something to somebody: · The contents of the fax were leaked to the press
informal to tell someone about something that has been planned and was supposed to be a secret: · "Does Phillip know about our plan?" "Yes, someone must have spilled the beans."· The class managed to keep the party a secret until Lorraine, unable to control herself any longer, spilled the beans.
informal to tell someone about a secret plan or idea so that they are involved in it, especially because you trust them: · We'll let you in on our plan if you promise to keep it a secret.· I know you're up to something so you might as well let me in on it.
informal to tell someone a secret - use this when you disapprove of this: · OK I'll tell you, but you'd better not blab!blab about: · She went and blabbed about Ernie's surprise party.blab to: · Better not say anything about it to Mickey -- he'll just end up blabbing to someone.
WORD SETSaperture, nounblow-up, nounboom, nouncamera, nouncassette, nouncheesecake, nounclose-up, nouncomposition, nouncrop, verbdaguerrotype, noundarkroom, noundevelop, verbdeveloper, nounemulsion, nounenlargement, nounenlarger, nounexpose, verbexposure, nounfilm, nounfish-eye lens, nounfix, verbfixative, nounflash, nounflash bulb, nounflashgun, nounframe, nounglossy, noungrainy, adjectivehalftone, nounhighlight, nounhologram, nounlens, nounlight meter, nounmagic lantern, nounnegative, nounoverexpose, verbover-exposure, nounphoto, nounphoto-, prefixphoto booth, nounphotocall, nounphotocopier, nounphotograph, nounphotograph, verbphotographer, nounphotographic, adjectivephotosensitive, adjectivephotosensitize, verbphoto shoot, nounplate, nounPolaroid, nounpose, verbpose, nounprint, verbprint, nounprocess, verbreproduce, verbretake, nounretouch, verbshade, nounshot, nounshutter, nounshutterbug, nounsitting, nounslide, nounsnap, verbsnap, nounsnapshot, nounsoft focus, nounspeed, nounstereoscopic, adjectivesubject, nountelephoto lens, nounthread, verb3-D, adjectivetime-lapse, adjectivetransparency, nountripod, noununderexpose, verbunload, verbview, nounviewer, nounviewfinder, nounwide-angle lens, nounzoom lens, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY The report exposes the weaknesses of modern medical practice.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
(=say or do something that may make people laugh at you, criticize you etc)
The report exposes the weaknesses of modern medical practice.· Some of the troops were exposed to chemicals.
(=show that it exists)· The newspaper prided itself on exposing corruption in government.
· He was exposed to the infection while he was travelling in India.
(=show where something or someone is not very good)· The film shows his limitations as a actor.
(=be put in a situation where you are not protected from harmful radiation, especially nuclear radiation)· The servicemen claimed they were illegally exposed to radiation during atomic tests.
· The scandal was uncovered by a journalist.
· Four workers at the facility, though exposed to the virus, never became ill.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· Today local people are still exposed to increasingly lethal quantities of pollution.· The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that stable workers could have been exposed to as much as 190 times the acceptable daily intake.
NOUN· New challenges summon up fresh resources, or expose areas in which resources are lacking.· Finally, the total exposed surface area of the asteroids is less than the surface area of the Moon.· The kick uses a turning action which momentarily exposes a large target area to the opponent.
· Here the right guard hand and shoulder are drawn back, exposing more of the body and head.· Fat women may not feel confident about exposing their bodies in those ways traditionally associated with eroticism.· She lay with the sheet pulled down, exposing her naked body, her long legs, knees pressed together.
· They had no wish to expose their only child to the disease.· They objected to materials that expose children to feminism, witchcraft, pacifism, vegetarianism, and situational ethics.· They maintain their father threatened to kill his sons to stop them from exposing him as a child molester.· Back in her schoolroom, her anger about his exposing children to the sight of whiskey was softened by feelings of sadness.· The Suzuki method exposes the child to music in the same matter-of-fact way.· Erik claimed his father threatened to kill him and his brother to stop Lyle from exposing him as a child molester.· I sometimes wonder if I should expose my two children to football.
· The move comes in the wake of the recent Echo Inquiry which exposed the potential danger in flats and bedsits.· They concluded that she would be exposed to great danger from a splinter of flax.· The case was brought under the old law and it was alleged that the child in question was exposed to moral danger.
· Another 1,000 million people are exposed to high levels of suspended particles from coal, wood and oil combustion and traffic dust.· Officials estimate 1 million children are still exposed to unsafe levels of lead, however.· It has announced its intention not to borrow and therefore will not expose investors to levels of high gearing.· If something goes awry, more than five billion people would be exposed to dangerous levels of radiation.· More people are being exposed to higher levels of financial information than ever before.
· An ordinary body exposed to radiation absorbs some of it and reflects the rest.· If I angered Kosinski, he might eliminate me, the way that Tarden cleverly exposed Veronika to radiation without her knowledge.· The general public is constantly exposed to radiation.· One woman died despite intensive treatment and none had been exposed to radiation or other factors known to cause the disease.· People exposed to radiation at work.
· The rise of credit derivatives makes it difficult to determine which banks are exposed to a particular risk.· Persons exposed to particular risks may not know precisely what those risks are and may either overestimate or underestimate them.· Asthma, heart conditions, diabetes or epilepsy may expose you to special risks with watersports in the heat.
· They exposed strengths and weaknesses they didn't know were theirs.· College had exposed weaknesses they had been able to ignore in the past.· Her decision has left Congress headless and embarrassed at having exposed its weakness.· The Rush die scandal has exposed the weaknesses of any benign multiculturalism premised on the assumption of easy harmony and pluralism.· In addition, Joanne felt that the new approach exposed her weaknesses as a teacher.
VERB· Fat women may not feel confident about exposing their bodies in those ways traditionally associated with eroticism.· But camped out in their front yard, so to speak, we suddenly felt very exposed.· This was connected, albeit nebulously, with a feeling that children were exposed to too much violence when they watched television.· We look at her sentences and we feel exposed and vulnerable.· Once more, I feel exposed.· He felt stripped, exposed, not wanting anyone to speak to him.· Never had I felt more alone or exposed.· He had never felt so exposed.
· The throng in front of Owen melted away, leaving his men exposed, so he drew them back into the shadows.· So, if yours is not labeled, leave it exposed.· Well his passes did leave her exposed, and her front pair were pretty wobbly.· Trask said the renovation to the Coliseum Arena left power equipment exposed to the elements.· Vicious thugs had speared him leaving a gaping wound exposing the bone.· Suppose that a slate falls from our roof, leaving the attic exposed.· Below the old Church at Battersea the retreating flood had left exposed a wide shelf of mud and gravel.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
- By connecting to the Internet, a local network organization may be exposing itself to the entire population on the Internet.
- He was arrested five other times from 1991-93 on charges such as exposing himself to a female student and urinating in public.
- I hated to expose myself, to emerge, to stick out.
- Marie had never understood how women could bare their souls with such ease, exposing themselves so shamelessly to one another.
- The builder, by breaking his commitments, no doubt exposed himself to an action by his customer for breach of contract.
- There were cases of teachers following girls home, and one who exposed himself.
- Whereas they expose themselves by coming to power, he can remain concealed indefinitely.
- Women expose themselves through their image far more than men do.
WORD FAMILYadjectiveexposedverbexpose
1show to show something that is usually covered or hidden: He lifted his T-shirt to expose a jagged scar across his chest.expose something to something Potatoes turn green when exposed to light.► see thesaurus at show2to something dangerous to put someone in a situation where they are not protected from something dangerous or unpleasantexpose somebody to something The report revealed that workers had been exposed to high levels of radiation.expose yourself to ridicule/criticism etc (=say or do something that may make people laugh at you, criticize you etc)3tell the truth to show the truth about someone or something, especially when it is bad: The film exposes the utter horror of war. The report exposes the weaknesses of modern medical practice.expose somebody as something The baron was exposed as a liar and a cheat.4see/experience to make it possible for someone to experience new ideas, ways of life etcexpose somebody to something Some children are never exposed to classical music.5expose yourself if a man exposes himself, he shows his sexual organs to someone he does not know in a public place, usually because he is mentally ill6photograph to allow light onto a piece of film in a camera in order to take a photograph7feelings to show other people feelings that you usually hide, especially when this is not planned: I’m afraid I might expose my real feelings for him.