Definition

1. Verb:
   • To expose / to reveal: To uncover and make known a hidden truth, secret, deception, or scheme, often with the intent of revealing dishonesty or wrongdoing.
   • To strip bare / to lay bare: To remove all covering or pretense from something, leaving its true nature visible.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Nhà báo đó đã bóc trần sự thật về vụ bê bối. (That journalist exposed the truth about the scandal.)
  • Bài phóng sự bóc trần những thủ đoạn lừa đảo tinh vi. (The investigative report laid bare the sophisticated fraud tactics.)
  • Anh ấy bóc trần âm mưu của đối thủ. (He exposed his rival's plot.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in contexts involving journalism, investigation, criticism, or debate, where something concealed or disguised is brought to light.
• It carries a strong connotation of revealing something negative, shameful, or manipulative that was intentionally hidden.

Variants and Related Words

• Phơi bày (v): to lay bare, to expose. Often used interchangeably, though phơi bày can sometimes feel more like "displaying" something already visible, while bóc trần emphasizes the active act of removing a layer to reveal.

  • Sự kiện này phơi bày nhiều yếu kém trong hệ thống. (This event exposed many weaknesses in the system.)

• Vạch trần (v): to unmask, to expose. Very close in meaning to bóc trần, also focusing on revealing deceit.

  • Cô ấy vạch trần bộ mặt giả tạo của hắn. (She unmasked his hypocritical face.)

Synonyms

• Expose: to make something secret or hidden known.
• Uncover: to discover something previously secret or unknown.
• Reveal: to make previously unknown or secret information known.
• Lay bare: to expose something completely.

Related Idioms

• Bóc trần sự thật: to expose/reveal the truth.

  • Nhiệm vụ của họ là bóc trần sự thật. (Their mission is to expose the truth.)

• Bóc trần bản chất: to reveal the true nature.

  • Hành động đó bóc trần bản chất thật của công ty. (That action revealed the company's true nature.)