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to blow wide open

to blow wide open

1 6.5
To make a secret suddenly become known
  • phrasal verb
  • Literature
translation icon : revelar por completo
  • The truth about the financial fraud blew wide open after an anonymous tip to the press.

Examples

  • Judging by the comic book, Season Three promises to see plenty of mind-blowing moments, as the entire world of Rick Grimes and his people is about to get blown wide open, just after they find their first real safe haven.

    Blog text (3)
  • The investigation finally blew wide open when the whistleblower came forward with evidence.

  • We say one word about it, and every case we ever brought in is going to blow wide open, and they'll all walk.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • But first we got to get our hands on Jackie Boy's head before it gets to wherever it's going and then this whole situation blows wide open

  • The affair blew wide open in August 1898 when he was arrested and cut his throat the same day in his prison cell.

    Academic text (2011)
  • As a result of September's explosion, the EMS was blown wide open—and with it, the Maastricht dream of monetary union.

    Academic text (1993)
  • When the documents were leaked, the entire scandal blew wide open, shocking everyone involved.

Synonyms

to reveal
vsto blow wide open
2.3

Show something that was hidden or secret

is sudden and makes the whole secret public at once
to expose
vsto blow wide open
342 4.1

Reveal hidden facts or bad actions to people

is sudden and makes the whole secret public at once
to uncover
vsto blow wide open
243 3.5

Reveal secret facts to the public

is sudden and makes the whole secret public at once
to leak
vsto blow wide open
219 4.1

To tell secret information to the public without permission

is sudden and makes the whole secret public at once
to unveil
vsto blow wide open
109 4.1

To make something known for the first time

is sudden and makes the whole secret public at once
to tell all
vsto blow wide open
  • Literature
47 5.6

Say all private things about a person or event

is sudden and makes everything public at once
to bring to light
vsto blow wide open
20 3.7

To show facts that were hidden before

is sudden and makes the whole secret public at once
to blow the lid off
vsto blow wide open
  • Literature
8 6.8

Reveal secret information that shocks people

is sudden and makes the whole secret public at once
to bring out
vsto blow wide open
8 3.7

Make secret information known to the public

is sudden and makes the whole secret public at once
to disclose
vsto blow wide open
7 4.0

Make something visible by removing a cover

is sudden and makes the whole secret public at once
to drop a bombshell
vsto blow wide open
4 5.5

To suddenly tell people something very surprising that shocks them

is sudden and makes the whole secret public at once
to lift the veil
vsto blow wide open
4 7.1

To reveal information that was previously hidden

is sudden and makes the whole secret public at once
to drop the bomb
vsto blow wide open
3 6.2

To tell people shocking news suddenly

is sudden and makes the whole secret public at once
to lay bare
vsto blow wide open
2 5.5

To show something hidden so people can see it

is sudden and makes the whole secret public at once
to unwrap
vsto blow wide open
2 4.4

To tell people about something secret

is sudden and makes the whole secret public at once
to uncloak
vsto blow wide open
1 7.7

To make something hidden become visible by removing a cover or showing the truth

is sudden and makes the whole secret public at once
to explode a bombshell
vsto blow wide open
  • Informal
7.7

Make a shocking announcement that surprises people

is sudden and makes the whole secret public at once

Antonyms

282 3.7

To hide something so others cannot see or find it

To not tell anyone private information

How Revealed

to blow wide open
  • Literature
1 6.5
to reveal
2.3
to leak
219 4.1
hint
229 1.5

Surface Forms

blow wide open infinitive
blowing wide open present participle
blows wide open third person singular
blown wide open past participle

Morphology

blow + wide + open

The components 'blow' (forcefully move), 'wide' (extensively) and 'open' (not closed) create a clear physical image of something being forced fully open, which can be metaphorically extended to exposing or revealing information. Because the sense relies on a figurative transfer from a literal physical action to disclosure, it is partially predictable but requires some idiomatic/pragmatic knowledge, so it is best classed as semi-transparent.

Etymology

Blow wide open gives a strong picture: imagine a closed door or box suddenly blown wide open, with papers and hidden things flying out for everyone to see. That's why it means 'to reveal' a secret or mystery completely.