Definition

Phrasal Verb: - To become known, revealed, or discovered, especially after being hidden or secret.

Usage

This phrasal verb is used to describe information, facts, or truths that emerge or are made known, often after a period of concealment or investigation. It is typically used in the active voice, often with the subject being the information itself (e.g., "the truth," "details," "facts").

Examples

• Active Voice:
  • New evidence came to light during the trial.
  • The full extent of the scandal only came to light years later.
  • It came to light that he had been keeping a secret diary.

Advanced Usage

• "to bring something to light": This is the causative form, meaning to reveal or discover something.
  • The journalist's investigation brought the corruption to light.

Variants and Related Words

• Come out: To become known or be revealed (can be more informal).
  • The story came out in the newspapers.
• Emerge: To appear or become known.
  • New problems emerged after the audit.
• Surface: To become apparent or known after being hidden.
  • Rumors about the merger began to surface.

Synonyms

• Be revealed
• Be disclosed
• Be uncovered
• Be discovered
• Emerge
• Surface

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Come out: Often used interchangeably in the context of secrets or information being revealed.
  • The truth finally came out.
• Turn up: To be found, especially by chance.
  • The missing documents turned up in an old file.

Related Idioms

• See the light of day: To become known or available to the public.
  • The controversial report never saw the light of day.

Verb

1. be revealed or disclosed
   • The truth finally came to light