blow the lid off

Idioms  

1. Also, blow wide open. Expose, especially a scandal or illegal activity. For example, The newspaper's investigation blew the lid off the governor's awarding state contracts to his friends. [First half of 1900s]

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Example Sentences

These new appointees were the very ones who had been chasing this scandal for years, and they were now in a position to blow the lid off the whole thing.

From Salon • Jul. 14, 2025

Today we are going to blow the lid off a debate that raged in America’s newspapers at the turn of the 20th century.

From Washington Post • Dec. 4, 2021

“James Webb will blow the lid off everything,” says exoplanet hunter Sasha Hinkley of the University of Exeter.

From Science Magazine • Nov. 11, 2021

Sibling rivalry, family secrets and a mysterious stranger threaten to blow the lid off the coffin when a man tries to give his late father a proper memorial.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 22, 2019

Percy concentrated until his ears popped, but the best he could do was blow the lid off the plastic treasure chest.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan