come out — become known (information, truth, secret)
phrasal verbB2IELTS 6+neutralcommon
To become known or revealed, especially something that was hidden or secret.
Say it like a native
Textbook Eventually the truth was revealed to everyone.
Native Eventually the truth came out.
For a hidden fact surfacing, 'come out' is the everyday verb; 'was revealed to everyone' is dramatic and written.
Pattern: come out (that + clause) / come out (about something)
In use
- It finally came out that he had been lying about his qualifications.communication
- Sometimes, when a mistake comes out at work, it can be embarrassing but it’s important to be honest.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ It came out that he had lied, the truth.
✓ It came out that he'd lied.
Use 'it came out that...' — don't tack 'the truth' on the end.
Common collocations
come out + truth surfacing— the truth, it came out that, the facts, eventually
Don't confuse it
Different from 'find out' (to discover something yourself).
Related
- come out (be released (for books, movies, products, etc.)) — Another meaning of 'come out' is 'be released (for books, movies, products, etc.)'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.