expose

verb (T)

1 SHOW to show something that is usually covered: The wolf opened its mouth to expose a row of sharp white teeth. | expose sth to sth: Wounds that are exposed to the air heal more quickly.

2 TO STH DANGEROUS to put someone in a harmful situation, position etc, where they have no protection against something dangerous: expose sb to sth: The report revealed that workers had been exposed to unacceptably high levels of radiation. | expose yourself to ridicule/criticism etc (=say or do something that may make people laugh at you, criticize you etc)

3 TELL THE TRUTH to tell the truth about something, or show what it is really like, especially because you think it is harmful, illegal etc: a radical group that works to expose and condemn racism | expose sb as sth: Klaus von Bulow was exposed as a liar and a cheat.

4 SEE/EXPERIENCE to learn about beliefs, ideas etc, especially by seeing things or having new experiences: expose sb to sth: Travel abroad exposes children to different languages and cultures.

5 PHOTOGRAPH to allow light onto a piece of film in a camera in order to take a photograph

6 FEELINGS to show other people feelings that you usually hide, especially by behaving in a particular way: Eric broke down and wept, exposing the vulnerable side of his nature.

7 expose yourself if a man exposes himself, he shows his sexual organs to someone he does not know in a public place, usually because he is mentally ill