shed light on

Idioms  

1. Also, throw light on. Clarify or explain, as in I was hoping the professor would shed light on how he arrived at his theory, or Can anyone throw some light on where these plants came from? Originally, from about 1200, these expressions were used literally, in the sense of “illuminate,” but they soon were used figuratively as well.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

shed light on

Investors are also expecting the earnings report to shed light on a few recent rumors.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 21, 2026

Even before the latest flare-up, recent announcements shed light on Gulf oil producers’ thinking.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026

Having finally been diagnosed as adults, many have taken to print to shed light on the reality, variety and complexity of these once hidden lives.

From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026

Now, a new theoretical study suggests a possible solution, one that could also shed light on another major mystery in physics, the origin of the mass of fundamental particles.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 5, 2026

The sun rose and shed light on what Roscuro and Miggery Sow had done.

From "The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread" by Kate DiCamillo

Related Words

• analyze
• clear up
• define
• formulate
• interpret
• resolve
• simplify
• spell out