unmask
/'ʌn'mɑ:sk/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb (transitive):
- To remove a mask or disguise from someone: To literally take off a mask that is hiding someone's face.
- To reveal the true nature or identity of someone or something: To expose something hidden, especially something dishonest, false, or secret.
Verb (intransitive):
- To remove one's own mask or disguise: To take off one's own mask, either literally or figuratively by ceasing to pretend.
Examples of Usage
Verb (transitive):
- The hero unmasked the villain at the end of the play.
- The investigation unmasked a spy within the organization.
- Her research unmasked the flaws in the popular theory.
Verb (intransitive):
- At midnight, the guests at the masquerade ball unmasked.
- After years of deception, he finally unmasked and confessed to the crime.
Advanced Usage
"to unmask oneself": To reveal one's own true identity or intentions.
- The anonymous blogger decided to unmask herself to the public.
In computing/security: To reveal the identity of a user, device, or process attempting to access a system.
- The new security protocol is designed to unmask unauthorized users.
Variants and Related Words
- Unmasking (noun): The act of revealing a true identity or nature.
- The unmasking of the fraudster shocked the community.
Synonyms
- Expose: To make something visible or known.
- Reveal: To make previously unknown or secret information known.
- Uncover: To remove a cover or to discover something hidden.
Antonyms
- Mask: To conceal or disguise.
- Conceal: To keep something from being seen or known.
- Hide: To put or keep out of sight.
Related Phrases
Unmask a plot/conspiracy: To expose a secret plan to do something harmful.
- The journalist worked to unmask the corruption plot.
Unmask a deception: To reveal a trick or act of deceiving someone.
- The audit unmasked the financial deception.
Verb
- take the mask off
- unmask the imposter
- reveal the true nature of
- The journal article unmasked the corrupt politician