leaked out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leaked out" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something has been disclosed or made public without the knowledge or consent of the person who was originally in charge of the information. Example sentence: The details of the secret plan leaked out before anyone was able to share the news with the public.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It leaked out immediately".

The New York Times - Science

Information had leaked out from somewhere.

The New York Times

Then the Abu Ghraib photographs leaked out.

The New York Times

The throb of Friday night leaked out from inside unabated.

The New York Times - Arts

When news of the plan leaked out, it drew immediate and widespread denunciation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After details of the Moss incident leaked out, Tinucci's capitalized on the attention.

The New York Times - Sports

If that had leaked out, we would've really been crucified".

BBC

A shot of the BlackBerry Storm 3 leaked out!

TechCrunch

News of a number of Posh's summer targets has leaked out ahead of deals being completed.

BBC

When reports leaked out, the contrast proved decisive.

Huffington Post

Each item I removed, more pain and tiredness leaked out. .

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "leaked out" when you want to emphasize that information was released prematurely or without authorization. For example, "Details of the new phone accidentally "leaked out" before the official announcement".

Common error

Avoid using "leaked out" when you mean something was intentionally revealed. "Leaked out" suggests an accidental or unauthorized release, not a planned announcement.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "leaked out" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that something (typically information or a substance) has escaped or been disclosed, often against the wishes of those who wanted to keep it secret. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "leaked out" is a phrasal verb used to describe the unauthorized or premature release of information or substances. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability in written English. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, indicating its prevalence in reporting on events where secrecy has been breached. While generally neutral in register, it can be replaced by more formal alternatives like "was disclosed" in certain settings. When using "leaked out", consider whether the release was intentional or accidental, as this nuance is crucial for accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became known

Focuses on the result of the information being available, rather than the process of it being released.

was disclosed

Emphasizes the act of revealing information, often implying a deliberate action, which "leaked out" may not.

was revealed

Similar to "was disclosed", but can also refer to the uncovering of something previously hidden.

came to light

Highlights the emergence of information into public awareness, often after a period of secrecy.

was unveiled

Suggests a formal or intentional presentation of information, differing from the accidental nature of "leaked out".

slipped out

Implies an unintentional disclosure, often through speech, and is less formal than "leaked out".

got out

A more general and informal way of saying that information became public.

was divulged

Indicates a more formal and often reluctant revealing of information.

was disseminated

Focuses on the widespread distribution of information, rather than its initial release.

filtered through

Implies a gradual and often incomplete spread of information.

FAQs

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

You can use "leaked out" to describe information or secrets that have been revealed prematurely or without authorization. For example, "The company was upset when the news "leaked out" before their official announcement".

What's a less formal alternative to "leaked out"?

Informal alternatives to "leaked out" include "got out" or "slipped out". For example, instead of "The secret leaked out", you could say "The secret got out".

What is the difference between "leaked out" and "revealed"?

"Leaked out" typically implies that the information was released unintentionally or against someone's wishes, while "revealed" can imply a deliberate act of disclosure. So, if information was accidentally disclosed, you'd say it "leaked out". If someone intentionally made the information known, you'd say it was "revealed".

What can I use instead of "leaked out"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "became known", "was disclosed", or "came to light". For example, "The details of the plan became known before the meeting".