to light
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to come to light
To become visible, show itself, or emerge. Often refers to qualities, problems, or facts that were previously hidden.
Erst bei genauerer Untersuchung traten die wahren Probleme zutage.
Only upon closer examination did the real problems come to light.
to bring to light
To uncover, reveal, or dig up something hidden, unknown, or buried.
Die archäologischen Grabungen haben erstaunliche Funde zutage gefördert.
The archaeological excavations brought amazing finds to light.
The adverb 'zutage' is an old form of 'zu Tage'. It literally means 'into the light of day' and is used to express that something hidden becomes visible.
Bei den Bauarbeiten kamen alte Münzen zutage.
Old coins came to light during the construction work.
'Zutage' almost never stands alone; instead, it is part of fixed verb combinations. The most common are 'zutage treten' (something becomes visible) and 'zutage fördern' (someone makes something visible).
Sein wahres Talent trat erst spät zutage.
His true talent came to light only late in life.
The expression 'zutage' belongs to elevated written language. It is rarely used in normal everyday conversation.
Die Ausgrabungen brachten eine römische Villa zutage.
The excavations brought a Roman villa to light.
The exact meaning depends on the verb: 'zutage treten' is passive and means that something appears by itself. 'zutage fördern' is active and means that someone deliberately uncovers something.
Nach dem Regen traten Risse in der Mauer zutage.
After the rain, cracks in the wall came to light.
