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

"Understanding this complexity helps us trace how ecosystems evolve over time, shedding light on the structures that support today's biodiversity."

From Science Daily

Scientists have shed light on the true origins of the so-called "first black Briton".

From BBC

"The investigation will shed light on several aspects of this case that are still unclear. In particular, it will demonstrate that this case is not as worrying as it may have initially seemed," he added.

From Barron's

The findings shed light on how rare genetic mutations can lead to complex brain malformations and demonstrate the value of brain organoids in biomedical research.

From Science Daily

Briand said advanced imaging technologies, including brain scans, were shedding light on how practices such as meditation and acupuncture affect the body.

From Barron's

Related Words

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