Definition

1. Verb:
   • To reveal, to expose, to let out: The act of unintentionally or accidentally making something known, visible, or apparent, especially something that was meant to be hidden, secret, or private.

Usage

• The verb 'để lộ' is used to describe the action of disclosing information or showing something that should have remained concealed.
• It often implies a mistake, carelessness, or an unintended consequence.
• It is commonly followed by the object being revealed (e.g., a secret, an emotion, a location).

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ấy đã vô tình để lộ kế hoạch bí mật. (He accidentally revealed the secret plan.)
  • Đừng để lộ cảm xúc thật của bạn trước mặt họ. (Don't let out your true emotions in front of them.)
  • Một lời nói bất cẩn có thể để lộ danh tính của người cung cấp thông tin. (A careless word could expose the informant's identity.)

Advanced Usage

• 'để lộ ra': This is a common variant where 'ra' emphasizes the result of the action, meaning "to reveal out" or "to expose to view."
  • Báo cáo đó đã để lộ ra nhiều vấn đề nghiêm trọng. (That report exposed many serious problems.)
• 'để lộ mặt thật': To reveal one's true face/character.
  • Cuối cùng hắn ta cũng để lộ mặt thật. (He finally revealed his true colors.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lộ (Verb): To be exposed, to show. Often used in compounds or formal contexts.
  • bí mật bị lộ (the secret was exposed)
• Tiết lộ (Verb): To disclose, to reveal. Can be more neutral or intentional than 'để lộ'.
  • Nhà báo từ chối tiết lộ nguồn tin. (The journalist refused to disclose the source.)
• Phơi bày (Verb): To lay bare, to expose (often something negative or scandalous).
  • Vụ án phơi bày những yếu kém trong hệ thống. (The case laid bare the weaknesses in the system.)

Synonyms

• Bộc lộ: To manifest, to show (often feelings or qualities).
• Vô tình tiết lộ: To inadvertently disclose.

Related Phrases

• Để lộ bí mật: To let out a secret / To reveal a secret.
  • Cô ấy hối hận vì đã để lộ bí mật gia đình. (She regrets having let out the family secret.)
• Để lộ điểm yếu: To expose a weakness.
  • Phản ứng của anh ấy đã để lộ điểm yếu. (His reaction exposed a weakness.)

Related Idioms

• Lộ sơ hở: To show a flaw/chink in one's armor (lit. to expose a gap).
  • Đối thủ đang chờ bạn lộ sơ hở. (The opponent is waiting for you to show a flaw.)
• Lộ hàng (slang/colloquial): To be exposed (often in a compromising situation); to have one's scheme/true intent found out.

1. Let out
   • Để lộ bí mật
     To let out a secret