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verb

bloßstellen

expose

Definition & meaning

is a separable German verb meaning to expose, embarrass, or humiliate someone, especially by revealing their weaknesses, mistakes, ignorance, or misconduct in front of others.

It usually has a negative meaning and implies that the person loses dignity or is made to look foolish.

  • Er stellte seinen Kollegen vor allen anderen bloß.
    “He embarrassed his colleague in front of everyone else.”
  • Sie wollte ihn nicht bloßstellen.
    “She did not want to humiliate him.”

It can also be used reflexively:

  • Er stellte sich selbst bloß.
    “He exposed/embarrassed himself.”

Grammar & Word origin

is a weak, separable verb.

  • Infinitive:
  • Present tense: ich stelle jemanden bloß
  • Simple past: ich stellte jemanden bloß
  • Perfect: ich habe jemanden bloßgestellt
  • Past participle:

The verb consists of:

  • — bare, exposed, or undisguised
  • — to put or place

Literally, it means “to place someone in an exposed position.” It normally takes an accusative object: jemanden bloßstellen (“to embarrass someone”).

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

  • — to embarrass or disgrace someone; it often emphasizes the resulting shame rather than the deliberate act of exposing someone.
  • — to humiliate someone, usually more strongly and deliberately than bloßstellen.
  • — to expose someone as dishonest or fraudulent; unlike bloßstellen, it often suggests that the exposure is justified.
  • — to compromise someone’s reputation or position, often through damaging information.
  • — to disclose or reveal information; it is usually neutral and does not necessarily involve humiliating a person.

Antonyms

  • — to spare someone embarrassment or unpleasant treatment.
  • — to protect someone from exposure or criticism.
  • — to cover for or protect someone, sometimes by concealing their mistake or misconduct.
  • — to hide or keep something from being revealed.

Common phrases & collocations

  • — to embarrass or humiliate someone
  • — to embarrass or expose oneself
  • — to publicly humiliate or expose someone
  • — to embarrass someone in front of others
  • — to expose or humiliate someone before the whole world

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Examples

Er wollte niemanden bloßstellen.verb

He did not want to expose anyone.

Der Lehrer stellt den schüchternen Schüler bloß.verb

The teacher exposes the shy student.

Die peinlichen Fotos stellten ihn vor allen bloß.verb

The embarrassing photos exposed him in front of everyone.

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