to expose / unmask
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to expose
To reveal the true, usually negative nature or secret intentions of someone or something and make them visible to everyone.
Die investigative Journalistin konnte den Politiker als Betrüger entlarven.
The investigative journalist was able to expose the politician as a fraud.
The verb is made up of the prefix 'ent-' (away, remove) and the word 'Larve' (mask). 'Entlarven' (to expose/unmask) therefore literally means to take someone's mask away. As a verb with 'ent-', it is inseparable.
Durch seine Lügen hat er sich selbst entlarvt.
Through his lies, he exposed himself.
'Entlarven' (to expose) is very often used in the structure 'jemanden/etwas als etwas entlarven' (to expose someone/something as something). The 'als' introduces what the true, revealed nature of the person or thing is.
Die Recherchen entlarvten den Plan als Betrugsversuch.
The research exposed the plan as an attempted fraud.
Negative things or people are often exposed. Typical objects are 'eine Lüge' (a lie), 'ein Betrüger' (a fraudster), 'eine Verschwörung' (a conspiracy), or 'die wahren Absichten' (the true intentions).
Der Detektiv konnte die Lüge des Zeugen entlarven.
The detective was able to expose the witness's lie.
to hide / conceal
'verbergen' and 'entlarven' are opposites when someone does not want to show their true intentions or true nature. 'verbergen' describes keeping something secret or hiding it. 'entlarven' means that someone or something is recognized as false, dangerous, or negative and made visible. 'entlarven' fits especially when a person or a deception is exposed. 'verbergen' is more neutral and can also be used for simple feelings or information.
Heute hat Tim den Betrüger entlarvt, weil er die falschen Papiere erkannte.
Today Tim exposed the fraudster because he recognized the fake papers.
Meine Schwester verbirgt ihre wahren Gründe, aber ich merke, dass etwas nicht stimmt.
My sister is concealing her real reasons, but I can tell that something is wrong.