exposed / found out
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exposed
Describes the state when a secret, often illegal or undesirable activity, plan, or deception has been discovered and revealed.
Der Spion ist nach monatelanger Observation endlich aufgeflogen.
After months of surveillance, the spy was finally exposed.
'Aufgeflogen' (exposed/found out) is the past participle of the separable verb 'auffliegen'. Literally, 'auffliegen' means to fly upward, but figuratively it means that a secret or plan suddenly becomes known.
Der geheime Plan der Firma ist durch einen anonymen Hinweis aufgeflogen.
The company's secret plan was exposed through an anonymous tip.
This word is almost always used as a predicate adjective with the verb 'sein' (to be). The structure is: someone or something + 'ist' + 'aufgeflogen' (has been exposed / has been found out).
Die ganze Bande ist nach langen Ermittlungen aufgeflogen.
The whole gang was exposed after long investigations.
Typically, things that are secret or illegal 'fliegen auf' (are exposed), for example: a lie, a fraud, a secret plan, a spy, or an affair.
Seine Lüge über den Job ist schnell aufgeflogen.
His lie about the job was quickly exposed.
to reveal / betray
'verraten' and 'aufgeflogen' both have to do with something secret that does not stay secret. 'verraten' usually describes the action or the reason: someone passes something on, or a sign unintentionally reveals something. 'aufgeflogen' describes the state afterward: a secret plan, a deception, or a forbidden activity has been discovered. Learners may confuse the words because both fit the moment of discovery. In practical terms: someone or something can reveal a secret; after that, the plan is 'aufgeflogen' (exposed / found out).
Der heimliche Plan war aufgeflogen, weil jemand die Nachrichten gelesen hatte.
The secret plan had been exposed because someone had read the messages.
Sein nervöses Lächeln verriet, dass er die Wahrheit kannte.
His nervous smile revealed that he knew the truth.