Definition

1. Verb:
   • To expose: To make something hidden, secret, or shameful visible to others; to reveal or uncover something that was concealed, often a truth, fault, or wrongdoing.
   • To lay bare: To show the true nature of something, especially something negative or undesirable, in a clear and open manner.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Bài điều tra đã phơi bày sự thật đằng sau vụ bê bối. (The investigative report exposed the truth behind the scandal.)
  • Hành động của hắn phơi bày bản chất ích kỷ. (His actions laid bare his selfish nature.)
  • Mọi âm mưu cuối cùng cũng sẽ bị phơi bày. (Every conspiracy will eventually be exposed.)

Advanced Usage

• The verb often carries a negative connotation, implying the revelation of something morally wrong, embarrassing, or damaging. It is commonly used in contexts of journalism, justice, and personal character.
• It can be used in passive constructions (bị phơi bày) to emphasize that something was exposed against the subject's will.

Variants and Related Words

• Phơi (v): To sun-dry, to air out. While "phơi" refers to physically exposing something to air or sun, "phơi bày" is metaphorical, exposing abstract things like secrets or character.
  • Phơi quần áo (To dry clothes in the sun).

Synonyms

• Expose: To make something visible or known.
• Reveal: To make previously unknown information known.
• Uncover: To discover and show something hidden.
• Lay bare: To expose something completely and clearly.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Phơi bày ra ánh sáng: To expose to the light; to bring something into the open for public scrutiny.
  • Sự gian lận bị phơi bày ra ánh sáng. (The fraud was exposed to the light.)

verb

1. to expose