to be exposed / to fly up / to fly open
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to be exposed
The sudden discovery or exposure of an illegal, secret, or forbidden activity, plan, or organization.
Die Betrügerbande ist nach monatelangen Ermittlungen endlich aufgeflogen.
After months of investigation, the gang of fraudsters was finally exposed.
'Auffliegen' is a separable verb. The prefix 'auf-' goes to the end of the main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive, the verb stays together.
Der geheime Plan flog im letzten Moment auf.
The secret plan was exposed at the last moment.
The perfect tense of 'auffliegen' is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' because it describes a sudden change or a movement. So you say 'ist aufgeflogen' (has been exposed / flew up / flew open).
Die Spionageaffäre ist gestern aufgeflogen.
The espionage affair was exposed yesterday.
The meaning depends on the subject. If it is people, plans, or secrets that 'auffliegen' (are exposed), they are discovered. If it is birds, they fly upward. If it is doors or windows, they open suddenly.
Die Fälscherwerkstatt ist bei einer Razzia aufgeflogen.
The counterfeiting workshop was exposed during a raid.
In the meaning 'entdeckt werden' (to be discovered/exposed), the verb is used in a passive-like way. The person or group being discovered is the subject of the sentence. You cannot actively say: 'Die Polizei flog die Bande auf.'
Der Korruptionsskandal flog durch einen anonymen Hinweis auf.
The corruption scandal was exposed through an anonymous tip.
to come out
'rauskommen' and 'auffliegen' can both mean that something secret becomes known. 'rauskommen' is more general: information, a mistake, or a secret becomes known. 'auffliegen' is stronger and fits especially well with forbidden, illegal, or secret plans. It often sounds as if someone is suddenly discovered or exposed. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with secrets. As a guide: a secret can 'rauskommen'; fraud, a plan, or a lie can 'auffliegen'.
Der Betrug ist aufgeflogen, weil ein Mitarbeiter die Polizei informiert hat.
The fraud was exposed because an employee informed the police.
Später kam raus, dass die Zahlen im Bericht falsch waren.
Later it came out that the figures in the report were wrong.