expose
gb/ɪkspˈoʊz/ us/ɪkspˈoʊz/
B1
English
~ 2600
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Make visible by uncovering
To take the cover off something so people can see it.
Usage pattern:
to expose [something/someone] to [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'expose' with 'express'. 'Expose' is about making something visible or known, while 'express' is about showing feelings or ideas.
Synonyms
uncover (Implies removing a cover or revealing something hidden.)
Antonyms
conceal (Means to hide or keep something from being seen.)
Collocations
expose the truth
|expose a secret
|expose skin
|expose flaws
|expose corruption
Themes
daily life
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The journalist worked to expose the corruption in the government.
- Peeling back the wallpaper exposed the original brick wall.
- The photograph exposed the beauty of the landscape.
Learner examples
- The rain exposed the old paint on the wall.
- He opened the box to expose the toys inside.
- The test exposed her weakness in math.
Verb
B2
action
2
Reveal something secret
To tell people about something bad or secret.
Usage pattern:
to expose [someone/something] for [wrongdoing]
Synonyms
reveal (General term for making something known; not always about wrongdoing.)
Antonyms
cover up (Means to hide or keep wrongdoing secret.)
Collocations
expose a lie
|expose a scandal
|expose wrongdoing
|expose a fraud
Themes
crime
|media
|communication
|law
Examples
- The whistleblower exposed the company's illegal activities.
- The documentary exposed the truth about the unsafe working conditions.
- She was afraid to expose her friend's dishonest behavior.
Learner examples
- The news story exposed the bad actions of the mayor.
- He exposed the secret plan to everyone.
- The book exposed the lies told by the leader.
Verb
B2
action
3
Put in harm's way
To put someone where they can be hurt or affected by something bad.
Usage pattern:
to expose [someone/something] to [danger/risk]
Synonyms
subject (Often used in formal contexts; means cause someone to undergo something.)
Antonyms
protect (Means to keep someone safe from harm or danger.)
Collocations
expose children to violence
|expose workers to chemicals
|expose skin to sunlight
Themes
health
|safety
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The new policy could expose more people to financial risk.
- Not wearing sunscreen exposes your skin to harmful UV rays.
- The leak exposed residents to toxic fumes.
Learner examples
- The job exposed him to loud noise.
- Do not expose your eyes to bright light.
- The broken pipe exposed us to cold air.
Verb
technical
C1
action
4
Allow light onto film/sensor
In photography, to let light hit film or a camera sensor so it can make a picture.
Usage pattern:
to expose [film/sensor] for [time]
Synonyms
illuminate (In photography, means to light up a subject, but not exactly the same as exposing film.)
Antonyms
underexpose (In photography, means not allowing enough light for a clear image.)
Collocations
properly expose the shot
|over expose the image
|expose the film
Themes
photography
|technology
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- You should expose the film for at least two seconds in low light.
- The photographer accidentally overexposed the image.
- Digital cameras automatically expose each shot.
Learner examples
- He exposed the film for five seconds.
- The camera will expose the picture correctly.
- Do not overexpose the photo.
Grammar
Dictionary form
expose
IPA
GB/ɪkspˈoʊz/
US/ɪkspˈoʊz/
Syllables & stress
ex - pose (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pose)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: expose
- 3rd Person Singular: exposes
- Present Participle: exposing
- Past: exposed
Word family
Forms
exposes
verb
exposing
verb
exposed
verb
Core family
exposure
noun B1
Related words
overexpose
verb
overexposure
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unexposed
adjective
Advanced or less common
exposé
noun
Expressions
expose a fraud
1/ɪkspˈoʊz ə fɹˈɔd/
fixed phrase
Reveal dishonesty or deception
To show that someone is lying or cheating.
Examples
- The reporter worked hard to expose a fraud in the charity organization.
- They exposed a fraud who was pretending to be a doctor.
expose someone to something
1/ɪkspˈoʊz sˈʌmwˌʌn tə sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Put someone in contact with something affecting them
To make someone experience or be near something that can affect them.
Examples
- Parents should be careful not to expose children to violent movies.
- Traveling can expose you to new cultures.
expose the truth
1/ɪkspˈoʊz ðə tɹˈuθ/
fixed phrase
Reveal what is true
To show facts that were hidden or denied.
Examples
- The investigation aimed to expose the truth about the incident.
- Her article helped expose the truth behind the rumors.