take the lid off

take the lid off
take the lid off (of) something & take the lid off†
1. Lit. to remove the lid from something. (

Of

is usually retained before pronouns.) •

I took the lid off the box and set it aside.

•

Karen took off the lid.

2. Fig. to reveal a set of previously concealed problems. (

Of

is usually retained before pronouns.) •

You took the lid off this mess. You straighten it out!

•

You took off the lid, so you have to settle it.

* * *
{v. phr.} 1. To let out in the open; divulge. * /It's about time to take the lid off the question of how many prisoners of war are still in enemy hands./ 2. To start to face an issue. * /"The best way to deal with your divorce," the doctor said to Fran, "is to take the lid off of it."/ Compare: BLOW THE LID OFF, LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG.

Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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  • take the lid off — {v. phr.} 1. To let out in the open; divulge. * /It s about time to take the lid off the question of how many prisoners of war are still in enemy hands./ 2. To start to face an issue. * / The best way to deal with your divorce, the doctor said to …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • take\ the\ lid\ off — v. phr. 1. To let out in the open; divulge. It s about time to take the lid off the question of how many prisoners of war are still in enemy hands. 2. To start to face an issue. the best way to deal with your divorce, the doctor said to Frank, is …   Словарь американских идиом

  • take the lid off — blow/take the lid off (something) to cause something bad that was previously kept secret to be known by the public. In 1989 they started an investigation that was to blow the lid off corruption in the police force …   New idioms dictionary

  • take the lid off something — blow/take the lid off (something) to cause something bad that was previously kept secret to be known by the public. In 1989 they started an investigation that was to blow the lid off corruption in the police force …   New idioms dictionary

  • take the lid off something — lift the lid on something or take the lid off something to tell someone about something bad or something that was a secret …   English dictionary

  • take the lid off something — lift the ˈlid on sth | take/blow the ˈlid off sth idiom to tell people unpleasant or shocking facts about sth • Her article lifts the lid on child prostitution. Main entry: ↑lididiom …   Useful english dictionary

  • blow the lid off — To uncover, reveal (a scandal, etc) ● lid * * * I see lid II blow (or take) the lid off informal reveal unwelcome secrets about prosecutors have taken the lid off a multimillion dollar payoff scandal …   Useful english dictionary

  • blow the lid off — blow/take the lid off (something) to cause something bad that was previously kept secret to be known by the public. In 1989 they started an investigation that was to blow the lid off corruption in the police force …   New idioms dictionary

  • blow the lid off something — blow/take the lid off (something) to cause something bad that was previously kept secret to be known by the public. In 1989 they started an investigation that was to blow the lid off corruption in the police force …   New idioms dictionary

  • blow the lid off something — informal phrase to let people know something that has been kept a secret Her testimony may blow the lid off the CIA’s activities in Latin America. Thesaurus: to tell or reveal a secret or secretssynonym Main entry: blow * * * lift the ˈlid o …   Useful english dictionary

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