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blow the lid off

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blow the lid off (something)

Sl. to expose something to public view. The police inspector blew the lid off the work of the gang of thugs. The investigation blew the lid off the scandal.

See also: blow, lid, off

blow the lid off (something)

to make public something that was previously not known or was hidden He blew the lid off modern photography by publishing gritty, realistic pictures at a time when most photos showed a clean, happy world.

Usage notes: sometimes used with other verbs meaning "remove": Her novel tore the lid off small-town life.

See also: blow, lid, off

blow/take the lid off something

  also lift the lid on something

to cause something bad that was previously kept secret to be known by the public In 1989 they started an investigation that was to blow the lid off corruption in the police force.

See flip lid, keep a lid on, Put a lid on it!, put the lid on

See also: blow, lid, off

blow the lid off

Also, blow wide open. Expose, especially a scandal or illegal activity. For example, The newspaper's investigation blew the lid off the governor's awarding state contracts to his friends . [First half of 1900s]

See also: blow, lid, off