to turn out / emerge
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to turn out to be
To prove to be something or someone different from what was originally thought. Usually, a surprising, often negative, true nature is revealed.
Der vermeintlich harmlose Geschäftspartner entpuppte sich als gerissener Betrüger.
The supposedly harmless business partner turned out to be a cunning fraudster.
The verb 'entpuppen' (to turn out / emerge) is inseparable. The prefix 'ent-' remains firmly attached to the verb stem in all sentence forms and tenses.
Die Idee entpuppte sich als großer Erfolg.
The idea turned out to be a great success.
The word contains 'Puppe' (pupa). The prefix 'ent-' here means 'out of'. Literally, an insect leaves its pupal casing. This idea of 'coming out' is also used in the figurative meaning.
Man kann zusehen, wie sich die Schmetterlinge entpuppen.
You can watch the butterflies emerge.
'Entpuppen' (to turn out / emerge) is a reflexive verb and is always used with 'sich'. In the figurative meaning, it is almost always followed by the preposition 'als' with a description in the nominative.
Das vermeintliche Schnäppchen hat sich als teurer Fehler entpuppt.
The supposed bargain turned out to be an expensive mistake.
You can recognize the figurative meaning from the fact that it is about people, plans, or situations. The literal, biological meaning is limited to the context of insects ('Raupe' — caterpillar, 'Schmetterling' — butterfly, 'Kokon' — cocoon).
Die Reise entpuppte sich als echtes Abenteuer.
The trip turned out to be a real adventure.
to slip / hatch
'schlüpfen' and 'sich entpuppen' can both have to do with the development of animals. 'schlüpfen' is used when a young animal leaves an egg, for example a bird or an insect. 'sich entpuppen' is used for insects when they leave the pupal casing and become adult animals. The words can be confused because in both cases an animal comes out of a casing or shell. The important thing is the stage: 'aus dem Ei schlüpfen' (to hatch from the egg), 'aus der Puppe sich entpuppen' (to emerge from the pupa).
Im Glas hat sich die Raupe später als schöner Schmetterling entpuppt.
In the jar, the caterpillar later emerged as a beautiful butterfly.
Nach zwei Wochen schlüpften die Küken aus den Eiern.
After two weeks, the chicks hatched from the eggs.