leak out

USAGE SUMMARY

'leak out' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean when information, typically something secret, is released to the public. For example: "The news of the scandal eventually leaked out and caused a huge public outcry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"These things leak out," he wrote.

The New Yorker

Distrust and deceit leak out everywhere.

The Guardian

Somehow the information does leak out around town.

The New Yorker

Other oddities leak out from the books and the memoirs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Scraps began to leak out on bootleg albums.

The Guardian - Music

The facts that do leak out are shocking.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The basic idea is that these houses are so airtight that warm air won't leak out in the winter, and cool air won't leak out in the summer.

The New York Times

"His enemies are intentionally trying to smear him by letting this leak out".

The New York Times

Specific names will inevitably leak out as the database circulates among journalists.

The New Yorker

They wanted to leak out in transition and score easy baskets.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Stuff leaks out and it shouldn't leak out.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "leak out" to describe the unintentional or gradual release of information or substances, especially when secrecy is involved.

Common error

Avoid using "leak out" when the release of information is deliberate or officially sanctioned; use terms like "announce" or "disclose" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "leak out" primarily functions as an intransitive verb, indicating that something (information, liquid, gas, etc.) is unintentionally released or escapes from a confined space or a state of secrecy. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is both correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "leak out" describes an unintentional release or escape of information or substances. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While "leak out" has a neutral register, more formal alternatives may be appropriate for specific writing styles. When using "leak out", remember to emphasize the unintentional aspect of the release and consider the potential implications of this lack of control. By avoiding confusion with intentional disclosure and understanding its subtle nuances, you can effectively use "leak out" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become known

Focuses on the result of the information being released, without specifying how it happened.

come to light

Implies a discovery process, suggesting the information was previously hidden.

get out

A more casual way of saying information is released.

be disclosed

Formal and emphasizes the act of revealing information.

seep out

Emphasizes a gradual and subtle release, similar to a liquid.

trickle out

Suggests information is released slowly over time.

emerge

Focuses on the appearance of the information.

be revealed

Highlights that something was hidden and is now shown.

filter through

Implies that information has passed through a barrier.

find its way out

Focuses on the information's journey to becoming public knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "leak out" in a sentence?

"Leak out" can be used to describe the unintentional release of information, as in "News about the merger began to "leak out" despite the company's efforts to keep it secret." It can also describe a substance escaping, like "Water started to "leak out" from the damaged pipe."

What can I say instead of "leak out"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "become known", "come to light", or "be disclosed". The best choice will depend on whether you want to emphasize the unintentional nature of the release or simply the fact that the information is now public.

Is it ever appropriate to use "leak out" in formal writing?

While "leak out" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives such as "be revealed" or "emerge" may be preferred in highly formal or academic contexts. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "leak out" and "spill out"?

"Leak out" implies a gradual or unintentional release, often of something that was meant to be contained. "Spill out", on the other hand, suggests a more sudden and copious release, often due to a container being overturned or overflowing. The phrase "spill out" has more intense connotations.