lay bare

USAGE SUMMARY

'lay bare' is a correct phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation where something (usually an emotion or truth) is revealed or made known. For example: "His words laid bare his true feelings about the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These figures lay bare the extreme pressure across the system".

The Guardian

We must lay bare entire valleys and mountainsides?

The Guardian - Opinion

Good intentions sometimes lay bare a kind of chummy condescension.

The New Yorker

The postings lay bare the elaborate pathos of teenagedom today.

The New York Times

For a few days the grass lay bare again.

The New York Times

Second, diagrams lay bare logics that are sometimes veiled in the original texts.

University of California, Berkeley

In his fiction, Maugham often sought to lay bare the hypocrisies of his characters.

The New York Times - Books

He described his purpose as to lay bare "the economic law of motion of modern society".

Encyclopedia Britannica

For an organization that extols trustworthiness, these files lay bare an appalling dissonance.

The New York Times

It will lay bare our personalities and make known our character, or lack thereof.

The New York Times

Western culture has developed the capacity to freely lay bare its own contradictions.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Maintain consistent tense: The past tense "laid bare" is often used to describe completed actions of revelation.

Common error

A common mistake is confusing "lay bare" with "lie bare". "Lay" requires a direct object (something is being laid), while "lie" does not. For example, it's correct to say "The investigation laid bare the corruption", but incorrect to say "The investigation lied bare the corruption".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lay bare" functions as a transitive verb phrase. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being revealed or exposed. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely recognized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

9%

OtherRelated

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lay bare" is a grammatically sound and widely used verb phrase that means to reveal or expose something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, supported by numerous examples from credible sources. The phrase functions to emphasize the act of making something evident that was previously hidden or not easily understood. While its register is neutral, it is frequently found in news and media, academic writing, and encyclopedias, as well as science and business contexts. When using "lay bare", remember to use the direct object correctly (to "lay bare" something) and avoid confusing it with the verb "lie".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reveal

Focuses on making something known that was previously hidden or secret.

expose

Highlights the act of uncovering something, often with the implication of vulnerability.

uncover

Suggests discovering or bringing something to light through investigation or removal of a covering.

divulge

Implies sharing confidential or private information.

make public

Emphasizes the act of disseminating information to a wider audience.

bring to light

Highlights the act of revealing or exposing something that was previously unknown or obscure.

draw attention to

Shifts the emphasis to making something noticeable or prominent.

make evident

Focuses on rendering something obvious or clear.

show clearly

Emphasizes the clarity and explicitness of the revelation.

disclose

Suggests revealing information, often of a sensitive nature.

FAQs

How can I use "lay bare" in a sentence?

You can use "lay bare" to describe the act of revealing something hidden or exposing a truth. For example: "The report "laid bare" the company's financial troubles".

What can I say instead of "lay bare"?

You can use alternatives like "reveal", "expose", or "uncover" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "lie bare" instead of "lay bare"?

No, "lie bare" is incorrect in this context. The correct phrase is "lay bare", which means to reveal or expose something. "Lie" refers to resting or reclining, while "lay" (in this context) means to put or place something. For example, the truth was "laid bare".

What's the difference between "lay bare" and "uncover"?

"Lay bare" often implies a more forceful or complete revelation than "uncover". While both mean to reveal something, "lay bare" suggests stripping away layers to expose something fundamental or previously concealed.