Meaning trap
come out
become known (information, truth, secret)
To become known or revealed, especially something that was hidden or secret.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To become known or revealed, especially something that was hidden or secret.
Another meaning of 'come out' is 'be released (for books, movies, products, etc.)'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- 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
Fix the pattern
Pattern: come out (that + clause) / come out (about something)
WrongI came out that he'd lied.
RightIt came out that he'd lied. / I found out that he'd lied.
This sense is impersonal — 'it came out that…'. For discovering it yourself, use 'find out'.
Patterncome out (that + clause) / come out (about something)
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
For a hidden fact surfacing, 'come out' is the everyday verb; 'was revealed to everyone' is dramatic and written.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
come out + truth surfacingthe truthit came out thatthe factseventually
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.