hidden scandal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hidden scandal" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a scandal that is not widely known or has been kept secret. For example, "The investigation revealed a hidden scandal within the organization." Alternative expressions include "concealed controversy" and "covert scandal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The price of delay for children in the legal system is a hidden scandal.

The New York Times

Hidden scandal The underlying causes for the gap are complex and often obscured, but charities agree that the failure of the criminal justice system lies at the heart of this hidden scandal.

The Guardian

Kishwar Desai, the wife of Labour peer Lord Desai, wins the debut novel prize for a story exposing the hidden scandal of female infanticide that still exists in India.

The Guardian - Books

And Girlguiding UK has launched a petition calling for "urgent action to end this widespread and often hidden scandal" in England, Scotland and Wales.

BBC

There's a hidden scandal that's not being spoken about and only slowly addressed.

HuffPost

This week, my book Breadline USA: The Hidden Scandal of American Hunger and How to Fix It hits the bookstores.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

But they all sought to be successful because they revealed hidden scandals and secrets.

The Guardian

They all share, as well a good deal beyond superb writing or the promised revelation of hitherto hidden scandals.

Huffington Post

At Cité Soleil, a ghetto in Port-au-Prince, Fabrice Walter, an unemployed carpenter, said: "All they want to do is hide the scandal.

Independent

A professor says that the 18th-century French satirist lied about his date of birth not to hide a scandal, but to create one.

The New York Times

But he found himself confronted by suggestions that 20 years ago he helped to hide a scandal involving a Boston priest who molested boys.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context supports the gravity of the word 'scandal', as it implies significant ethical or legal breaches

Common error

Do not label minor disagreements or small errors as a "hidden scandal". Reserving this phrase for systemic issues or major betrayals of trust maintains your writing's credibility and impact

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hidden scandal" functions as a noun phrase where 'hidden' is the attributive adjective modifying the head noun 'scandal'. According to Ludwig AI, it is consistently used to denote a specific, serious state of affairs that has been kept out of public view.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

8%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Science

0.5%

Formal & Business

0.3%

Reference

0.2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "hidden scandal" is a powerful and grammatically correct expression used to describe significant wrongdoings that have been kept from the public eye. Ludwig AI confirms its high prevalence in News & Media, where it serves as a staple for investigative narratives. While it is highly effective in journalistic writing, authors should use it with precision to ensure that the gravity of the situation warrants the term 'scandal'. Alternatives like "<a href="/s/concealed+controversy" target="_blank" rel="alternative">concealed controversy" or "<a href="/s/undisclosed+misconduct" target="_blank" rel="alternative">undisclosed misconduct" can be used to adjust the level of formality or intensity as needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

covered-up scandal

Implies an active effort to suppress the information rather than it simply remaining unseen

unexposed scandal

Focuses on the fact that the event has not yet been brought to light

covert scandal

Uses a more formal adjective often associated with intelligence or secret operations

concealed controversy

Softens the impact by using 'controversy' instead of the more damaging 'scandal'

obscured scandal

Suggests the details are unclear or have been made difficult to see

undisclosed misconduct

A more clinical and professional term often found in legal or business settings

veiled corruption

Specifically targets financial or political dishonesty rather than general scandal

secret shame

Shifts the focus from the public event to the internal emotion of those involved

hidden truth

Broadens the scope beyond wrongdoing to include any suppressed fact

untold story

Narrative-driven and less accusatory in tone

FAQs

How do I use "hidden scandal" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an investigation, such as: "The journalist spent months uncovering the "hidden scandal" within the city's housing department".

What is the difference between "hidden scandal" and "<a href="/s/secret+scandal" target="_blank" rel="alternative">secret scandal"?

While similar, "hidden scandal" often implies that the information was buried or obscured from view, whereas "<a href="/s/secret+scandal" target="_blank" rel="alternative">secret scandal" focuses on the confidentiality maintained by those involved.

Can I use "<a href="/s/concealed+controversy" target="_blank" rel="alternative">concealed controversy" in formal reports?

Yes, "<a href="/s/concealed+controversy" target="_blank" rel="alternative">concealed controversy" is often preferred in highly formal or cautious environments where you want to avoid the inflammatory nature of the word 'scandal'.

Is "hidden scandal" common in news reporting?

Yes, as seen in Ludwig, the phrase frequently appears in major outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian to describe systemic failures that have finally come to light.