lift, blow, etc. the lid off something

lift the lid off (something)

To expose something to the public, often something scandalous or deceptive. That company's stock price plummeted after the media lifted the lid off the CEO's embezzlement scandal.See also: lid, lift, off

lift, blow, etc. the ˈlid off something

(informal) tell people unpleasant or shocking facts about something: The story in today’s paper really lifts the lid off the use of drugs in horse racing.See also: lid, off, something