The Village Idiom

come out

The idiom "come out" means to make something known or to reveal something that was previously hidden or unknown.

Filed under C

In a sentence

  • After keeping it a secret for months, the news finally came out that she was pregnant.
  • The truth about the scandal is bound to come out eventually.
  • I can't wait for the new episode of my favorite TV show to come out next week.

Where it comes from and how it is used

The idiom "come out" has a variety of meanings that are widely used in everyday American English. One of the most common uses of this idiom is to indicate the act of publicly revealing or disclosing information. This can be seen when someone decides to openly discuss their sexual orientation for the first time, "coming out" as gay or lesbian.

Another meaning of "come out" is related to the emergence or appearance of something. This can refer to the publication or release of a book, movie, or album. For example, when a highly anticipated novel is finally published and available for purchase, it is said to "come out" in the literary world.

In addition, the idiom "come out" can be used to describe the result or outcome of a situation or event. For instance, if a person participates in a competition or contest and achieves a favorable result, it can be said that they "came out" on top or were victorious.

"come out" can be used to describe the act of becoming visible or noticeable. This is often used in relation to the appearance of the sun or the moon from behind clouds or the horizon. For example, if the sun appears after a cloudy day, it is said to "come out" from behind the clouds.

Additionally, "come out" can also be related to "come up." This phrase is used to describe something that arises or appears. It can be similar to "come out" in its meaning of emergence or appearance. For example, if a new trend in fashion comes up, it means that it has recently become popular or noticed.

Know an earlier use or a better origin story?Tell us.