Definition

Verb (intransitive): 1. To become known, to escape secrecy: To be revealed or disclosed, especially information that was intended to be kept private or confidential. It describes the process of secret information gradually spreading beyond its intended circle.

Usage

The verb "leak out" is used to describe how confidential or secret information becomes public knowledge. It is an intransitive phrasal verb, meaning it does not take a direct object. The information itself is the subject that "leaks out." It often implies a failure to contain the information.

Examples

• The company's plans for a new product leaked out before the official announcement.
• Details of the confidential report have leaked out to the press.
• Somehow, the news of their engagement leaked out.

Advanced Usage

• Passive Construction: While typically intransitive, a passive-like structure can be used with "it" as a dummy subject.
  • It was leaked out that the minister was planning to resign. (Note: Some style guides prefer "It was leaked that..." without "out" in this construction).

Variants and Related Words

• Leak (verb, transitive & intransitive): The base verb. It can be used transitively (e.g., ) or intransitively, often synonymous with "leak out" (e.g., ).
• Leak (noun): An instance of leaking or the hole through which a leak occurs (e.g., , ).
• Leakage (noun): The process or an instance of leaking.

Synonyms

• Become known
• Emerge
• Get out
• Be revealed
• Be disclosed

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Leak to : To deliberately give secret information to someone, especially the media.
  • An insider leaked the story to a journalist.

Related Idioms

• Spring a leak: Literally, to start leaking (e.g., a boat). Figuratively, it can describe a situation where secret information starts to escape.
  • The administration's narrative began to spring a leak as more witnesses came forward.

Verb

1. be leaked
   • The news leaked out despite his secrecy