Blow cover

Meaning

• The idiom "blow cover" means to reveal or expose information that was kept secret, usually by someone in a position of power or authority. It can also refer to uncovering a lie or deception.

Usage

• The whistleblower blew the cover on the government's illegal activities.
• The reporter's investigation into the CEO's financial mismanagement finally blew the cover on his fraudulent scheme.
• The hacker managed to blow the cover on the company's top-secret project by leaking confidential information online.
• The whistleblower blew the cover on the corrupt politician's involvement in illegal activities.
• The documentary film "Blow the Man Down" exposes the corruption and greed of the fishing industry.

Roots and History

The idiom "blow cover" has its roots in the military. In ancient times, soldiers would often wear protective armor or helmets to hide their identity on the battlefield. If a soldier's cover was blown, it meant that his true identity was revealed and he was at risk of being captured or killed. Over time, the idiom evolved to refer to any situation where someone's secret is exposed.

Synonyms in English

• Expose
• Reveal
• Uncover
• Disclose
• Out

Synonyms in other languages

• German: Offenlegen (to reveal)
• French: Dévoiler (to uncover)
• Spanish: Desvelar (to reveal)
• Italian: Revelare (to reveal)
• Russian: Раскрыть (to uncover)

Similar Idioms

• buffer zone

• bigger fish to fry

• by far