Definition

1. Verb (transitive):
   • To make known; to reveal or disclose: To make information, a quality, or a fact known to others, especially something that was hidden or secret.
   • To produce and make available for sale; to publish or release: To issue something, such as a product, book, or recording, to the public.
   • To elicit or draw forth; to encourage to be more evident: To cause a particular quality, skill, or aspect of someone's personality to become apparent or to develop.
   • To take something out from where it is stored: To remove an item from a container, enclosed space, or storage for use.
   • To make more noticeable or prominent; to accentuate: To cause a feature or detail to stand out.

Examples of Usage

• To make known/reveal:
  • The investigation finally managed to bring out the truth about the incident.
  • She refused to bring out the details of their private agreement.
• To produce/release:
  • The company plans to bring out a new model of the phone next month.
  • The author brought out her latest novel in the spring.
• To elicit/encourage:
  • A good teacher knows how to bring out the best in every student.
  • The relaxed atmosphere helped bring out her more talkative side.
• To take out:
  • Please bring out the fine china for the special dinner guests.
  • He brought out a map to show us the route.
• To accentuate/make noticeable:
  • That blue scarf really brings out the color of your eyes.
  • The dark frame brings out the details in the photograph.

Advanced Usage

• "to bring out the best/worst in someone": to cause someone's best or worst qualities to be shown.
  • Challenging situations often bring out the best in a true leader.
  • Stress can sometimes bring out the worst in people.
• "to bring out into the open": to reveal something publicly, especially a problem or secret.
  • The scandal was finally brought out into the open by the press.

Variants and Related Words

• Bringer-out (n, rare): One who brings something out.
• Bringing-out (n, gerund): The act or process of bringing something out.

Synonyms

• Disclose, reveal, unveil (for making known).
• Publish, issue, launch, release (for producing).
• Elicit, evoke, draw out (for encouraging a quality).
• Extract, remove, take out (for taking from storage).
• Highlight, emphasize, accentuate (for making noticeable).

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Bring out in (e.g., a rash): To cause a skin condition to appear.
  • The new detergent brought me out in a terrible rash.
• Bring out on (archaic/idiomatic): To escort someone out (e.g., of a building).
  • The butler brought the guests out on the terrace.

Related Idioms

• Bring out the big guns: To use the most powerful or effective resources available.
  • For the final negotiation, they decided to bring out the big guns.
• Bring out the hammer: To adopt a very strict or forceful approach.
  • When polite requests failed, the manager had to bring out the hammer.

Verb

1. make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few people or that was meant to be kept a secret
   • The auction house would not disclose the price at which the van Gogh had sold
   • The actress won't reveal how old she is
   • bring out the truth
   • he broke the news to her
   • unwrap the evidence in the murder case
2. bring before the public for the first time, as of an actor, song, etc.
3. take out of a container or enclosed space
   • Get out your best dress--we are going to a party!
4. encourage to be less reserved
   • The teacher tried to bring out the shy boy
5. bring onto the market or release
   • produce a movie
   • bring out a book
   • produce a new play
6. direct attention to, as if by means of contrast
   • This dress accentuates your nice figure!
   • I set off these words by brackets
7. prepare and issue for public distribution or sale
   • publish a magazine or newspaper
8. bring out of a specific state
9. make visible
   • Summer brings out bright clothes
   • He brings out the best in her