reveal oneself

USAGE SUMMARY

"reveal oneself" is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used in a figurative sense to mean to reveal one's true feelings (including intentions, opinions, and beliefs) or even one's identity. For example: "Rather than force her to reveal herself, he chose to respect her privacy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

And others feel strongly that one should not reveal oneself in a translation, and I believe one must.

Princeton University

But I pause and think about the courage it takes to reveal oneself fearlessly, to hurl oneself out there without reservation.

The New Yorker

Students use sonnets or poems as vehicles to explore the components of language and the need to communicate and reveal oneself through the voice.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The high-wire act of writing in the first person involves the willingness to reveal oneself in all of one's humanity.

The New York Times

So many programs play FBS or FCS football in Louisiana that it's sometimes possible to omit one or two of them and reveal oneself to be a college football scatterbrain and thus an embarrassment to society in general.

The Washington Post

To reveal oneself, in 140 characters: Researchers have put together an algorithm that they say can identify a Twitter user's gender; in addition to being a marketing tool, the algorithm could be used to identify Twitterverse participants who misrepresent themselves, like the "Gay Girl in Damascus".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Rouch and Morin capture the voice that admits (to oneself), the image that reveals oneself (to oneself), and put forth a utopian vision of self-avowal plus self-recognition as self-transformation.

The New Yorker

Revealing oneself through one's art is a scary prospect, and those who do have at times suffered for it (Monk, Coltrane, Parker, Coleman).

The New York Times - Arts

The East has been interpreted as a comment on her own life – the outsider infiltrating the system and bending it to her will – but Marling reckons it's "more to do with the fear of revealing oneself honestly to someone.

The Guardian - Film

Revealing oneself as a janitor is grounds for immediate dismissal.

Wikipedia

By perjuring oneself, one would have revealed oneself before all the world to be morally unfit for such an office of high public trust.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reveal oneself" when you want to express the idea of someone making their true nature, intentions, or identity known, often after a period of concealment or ambiguity. For example, "The candidate chose to reveal oneself during the final debate."

Common error

Avoid using "reveal oneself" when simply describing the act of sharing personal information in a general sense. "Reveal oneself" suggests a deliberate unveiling of something previously hidden or misunderstood, unlike simple self-disclosure. Instead use "self-disclosure".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "reveal oneself" is a verb phrase acting as a predicate, indicating an action performed by the subject. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase denotes unveiling one's true nature. Examples show the phrase is used in contexts where individuals or entities make previously hidden aspects of themselves known.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reveal oneself" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the act of making one's true nature or identity known. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It's frequently found in News & Media, Academic, and Science contexts. While alternatives like "disclose one's identity" or "show one's true colors" exist, "reveal oneself" offers a balanced tone suitable for various writing styles. Be mindful not to confuse it with simple self-disclosure; "reveal oneself" implies a deliberate unveiling. Remember, as the examples demonstrate, the phrase conveys a sense of unveiling something previously hidden.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disclose one's identity

Focuses specifically on revealing identity, less broad than revealing general feelings or intentions.

show one's true colors

Implies that what is revealed is previously hidden and potentially negative.

make oneself known

Emphasizes becoming recognized or acknowledged, often in a specific context.

come out of the closet

Specifically refers to publicly acknowledging a previously hidden aspect of one's identity, often related to sexuality.

unmask oneself

Suggests removing a disguise or pretense to show one's true self.

lay oneself bare

Implies vulnerability and complete openness in revealing one's thoughts and emotions.

divulge one's secrets

Focuses on revealing information that was intentionally kept hidden.

open up

A more informal way of saying to share one's feelings and thoughts.

present oneself

Highlights the act of formally introducing or displaying oneself.

express oneself

Refers to communicating one's thoughts and feelings through various means.

FAQs

What does "reveal oneself" mean?

The phrase "reveal oneself" means to make known one's true character, feelings, or identity, often implying that this information was previously hidden or unclear. It suggests a deliberate act of unveiling something significant about oneself.

How can I use "reveal oneself" in a sentence?

You can use "reveal oneself" in a sentence like this: "After years of hiding her artistic talent, she decided to finally reveal herself as a painter." This shows a deliberate unveiling of a previously unknown aspect of her identity.

What are some alternatives to "reveal oneself"?

Some alternatives to "reveal oneself" include "disclose one's identity", "show one's true colors", or "make oneself known". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "reveal oneself" formal or informal?

"Reveal oneself" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the situation. It's generally appropriate for news articles, academic papers, and casual conversations where you're discussing someone making their true self known.