uncover
gb/ʌŋkˈʌvɚ/ us/ʌŋkˈʌvɚ/
B1
Inglese
~ 5600
Accezioni
0 accezioni
Verbo
B2
action
1
reveal secret or hidden information
to show or tell information that was kept secret or hidden
Schema d'uso:
to uncover [the truth/ a secret/ information/ evidence]
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes say *"uncover about"* (e.g., *"The police uncovered about the crime"*). In English, *uncover* takes a direct object: *"The police uncovered the crime"* or *"uncovered the truth about the crime."* Learners may also overuse *discover*; *uncover* is preferred when something was deliberately kept secret or hidden, especially in news or legal contexts.
Sinonimi
reveal (General, very common word for making something known; slightly broader and more neutral.)
|
expose (Often suggests showing something bad or wrong, especially publicly.)
|
bring to light (More formal or literary phrase; emphasizes making something known after it was hidden.)
Contrari
cover up (Suggests actively hiding the truth or evidence, often about something wrong.)
|
conceal (More formal; means to hide information so people do not know it.)
|
hide (General word for keeping something from being seen or known.)
Collocazioni
uncover the truth
|uncover a secret
|uncover evidence
|uncover corruption
|uncover a scandal
|uncover a cover-up
Temi
communication
|law
|media
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- Investigators finally uncovered the truth about where the campaign money came from.
- The article uncovered a secret agreement between the two companies.
- The reporter spent months working to uncover evidence of fraud.
- The documentary uncovered corruption at the highest levels of government.
- Her memoir uncovers painful family secrets that were never discussed.
Esempi per chi studia
- The police worked hard to uncover the truth.
- The news story uncovered a big secret.
- The lawyer uncovered new evidence in the case.
- The book uncovers many hidden facts about the war.
- The journalist uncovered a plan to cheat customers.
Verbo
B2
action
2
discover something previously unknown
to find or learn something new that people did not know before
Schema d'uso:
to uncover [a fact/ a pattern/ new information]
Errore comune:
Learners may think *uncover* can replace *find* in all situations, but it is usually used for facts, information, or discoveries after effort, not for everyday things (say *"find my keys,"* not *"uncover my keys"*). They may also confuse this sense with the more secret-focused sense 1; here, the focus is on new knowledge, not necessarily on wrongdoing or secrets.
Sinonimi
discover (Very close in meaning; slightly more general and common in everyday speech.)
|
find (More general; can be physical or abstract, and does not always suggest research or investigation.)
|
identify (Often used in academic or technical contexts when something is carefully recognized or named.)
Contrari
overlook (Means to fail to notice or discover something, often by mistake.)
|
ignore (To choose not to pay attention to something, rather than not discovering it.)
Collocazioni
uncover new evidence
|uncover new facts
|uncover a pattern
|uncover a connection
|uncover a mystery
Temi
science
|history
|education
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- Researchers have uncovered a possible link between the two diseases.
- The study uncovered several important facts about climate change.
- Archaeologists recently uncovered a new section of the ancient city.
- Data analysts uncovered a clear pattern in customer behavior.
- The investigation uncovered weaknesses in the company’s safety system.
Esempi per chi studia
- Scientists uncovered a new kind of bird.
- The teacher uncovered an error in the textbook.
- They uncovered many new facts during the study.
- The team uncovered a problem with the software.
- He uncovered a pattern in the numbers.
Verbo
B1
action
3
remove a physical cover
to take the cover off something so you can see or use it
Schema d'uso:
to uncover [something]
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes use *open* for every situation. *Uncover* is better when something has a cover on top (a lid, cloth, or sheet) that you remove. Also, do not say *"uncover off"*; the verb already includes the idea of removal, so say *"uncover the pan,"* not *"uncover off the pan."*
Sinonimi
remove the lid (More specific; used when the cover is a lid.)
|
open (Very general; may refer to doors, windows, containers, or covers.)
|
unwrap (Used for things covered in paper or other wrapping, especially gifts or food.)
Contrari
cover (General opposite; means to put something over something else to protect or hide it.)
|
close (Used when putting a lid, top, or cover back on something.)
Collocazioni
uncover the pan
|uncover the dish
|uncover the bowl
|uncover the cage
|uncover the body
Temi
daily_life
|food
|home
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- Uncover the pan and let the sauce simmer for ten more minutes.
- She carefully uncovered the painting to show it to the visitors.
- They uncovered the body so the doctor could examine it.
- Slowly uncover the bowl to let the steam escape.
- He uncovered the cage and the birds immediately began to sing.
Esempi per chi studia
- Please uncover the pot so the soup can cool.
- She uncovered the plate and saw the cake.
- He uncovered the box to look inside.
- They uncovered the table after the party.
- I uncovered the cage and fed the rabbit.
Verbo
literary
C1
action
4
remove your hat from respect
to take your hat off your head, often to show respect
Schema d'uso:
to uncover [one's] head
Errore comune:
This use is rare and somewhat old-fashioned. Learners may not recognize that *uncover* here refers only to removing something from the head, not revealing information.
Sinonimi
bare one's head (Formal/literary phrase that emphasizes respect or ceremony.)
|
take off one's hat (More everyday and descriptive; does not sound as formal or old-fashioned.)
Contrari
cover one's head (General opposite; means to put on a hat or other covering.)
Collocazioni
uncover his head
|uncover their heads
|asked to uncover
|uncovered as a sign of respect
Temi
customs
|religion
|formal
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- Mourners uncovered their heads as the coffin passed.
- He quickly uncovered when he entered the church.
- They were asked to uncover as the national anthem played.
- The men uncovered in silence during the short prayer.
- He uncovered his head in a gesture of respect.
Esempi per chi studia
- The man uncovered when he went into the church.
- People uncovered their heads during the prayer.
- He uncovered to show respect.
- The visitors uncovered as they entered the building.
- They uncovered when the flag passed by.
Grammatica
Forma base
uncover
IPA
GB/ʌŋkˈʌvɚ/
US/ʌŋkˈʌvɚ/
Sillabe e accento
un - cov - er (3 sillabe)
Stress on 2nd syllable (cov)
Forme flesse
Verb
- Base: uncover
- 3rd Person Singular: uncovers
- Present Participle: uncovering
- Past: uncovered
Famiglia di parole
Forms
uncovers
verb
uncovering
verb
uncovered
verb
Core family
cover
verb A2
Advanced or less common
rediscover
verb B2
Espressioni
uncover corruption
1/ʌŋkˈʌvɚ kɚˈʌpʃən/
fixed phrase
reveal dishonest or illegal behavior
to show that people in power are doing bad or illegal things, like taking money or giving unfair help to friends
Esempi
- The investigation uncovered widespread corruption in the local government.
- Journalists played a key role in uncovering corruption at the company.
- New laws were passed after a report uncovered corruption in the police force.
uncover evidence
1/ʌŋkˈʌvɚ ˈɛvədəns/
fixed phrase
find new proof in an investigation
to find proof or information that helps show what is true, especially in a police or official investigation
Esempi
- Detectives uncovered new evidence that changed the direction of the case.
- The audit uncovered evidence of serious financial problems.
- Prosecutors say they have uncovered evidence linking him to the crime.
uncover the truth
1/ʌŋkˈʌvɚ ðə tɹˈuθ/
fixed phrase
discover the real facts
to find and show what really happened, not the lies or stories people tell
Esempi
- The documentary aims to uncover the truth about the company’s past.
- Good journalism tries to uncover the truth, even when it is uncomfortable.
- The police promised to uncover the truth behind the missing funds.