Divulge means to tell a secret to someone. Imagine you have a special toy, and it's a secret where you keep it. If you divulge its location, you tell your friend where it is. Now, it's not a secret anymore!
It's like when you tell someone something you were supposed to keep quiet. So, to divulge is to share information that was private.
To divulge means to tell private or secret information to other people. Imagine you have a secret, like a surprise party for a friend, and you accidentally tell someone who wasn't supposed to know. In that situation, you would be divulging the secret.
It's often used when information that was meant to be kept confidential is shared, sometimes by accident, and sometimes on purpose. So, if someone divulges details about a plan or personal matter, they are sharing information that was not meant for public knowledge.
At the C1 CEFR level, understanding 'divulge' means grasping its nuance beyond just 'tell' or 'reveal'. It implies a deliberate act of making secret or confidential information public, often with consequences.
It's not merely sharing information, but specifically disclosing details that were intended to be kept private.
The term suggests a breach of trust or confidentiality, highlighting the sensitive nature of the information being shared.
Therefore, when you encounter or use 'divulge,' consider the implication of revealing something that was previously hidden and protected.
§ What does it mean and when do people use it?
The verb 'divulge' is a sophisticated term that refers to the act of revealing information that was previously kept secret or was intended to remain confidential. It's a word you'll frequently encounter in formal contexts, such as legal discussions, journalistic reporting, or when talking about sensitive matters. Unlike simpler verbs like 'tell' or 'reveal,' 'divulge' carries a stronger connotation of discretion being breached or a secret being exposed, often unintentionally or against wishes.
- DEFINITION
- To make private or sensitive information known to the public or to another person. It typically implies that the information was previously kept secret or was intended to remain confidential.
Imagine a scenario where a company has a new product in development, and the details are strictly confidential. If an employee accidentally shares information about this product with an outsider, they would be said to 'divulge' company secrets. The word emphasizes the breach of trust or the breaking of a silent agreement to keep certain information under wraps. It's a word that suggests a certain weight and consequence to the act of revealing. It's not just about telling; it's about disclosing something that should not have been disclosed.
The journalist refused to divulge her sources, protecting their anonymity.
People use 'divulge' when the information in question has a degree of sensitivity, importance, or privacy. It's not typically used for casual, everyday revelations. For example, you wouldn't usually say, 'I divulged what I had for breakfast.' Instead, you would use it in situations where the information's confidentiality is a key aspect. Think of legal proceedings, business negotiations, political scandals, or even personal confessions where the shared information was meant to be kept private.
Here are some common situations where 'divulge' is an appropriate verb:
- When discussing legal obligations regarding confidentiality, such as non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).
- In reporting on whistleblowers who expose information that was meant to be hidden.
- When describing a situation where someone inadvertently lets slip a secret.
- In literary contexts to emphasize the dramatic unveiling of a hidden truth.
- When referring to the unauthorized release of sensitive personal data.
The formal nature of 'divulge' makes it suitable for written communication and more serious spoken contexts. It adds a layer of precision and gravitas to the description of revealing information, setting it apart from more general synonyms. Understanding this nuance is key to mastering its usage at a C1 CEFR level.
He was warned not to divulge any details about the ongoing investigation.
The impact of divulging information can range from minor embarrassment to significant legal repercussions, depending on the nature of the secret. This range of consequences further highlights why the verb 'divulge' is often chosen to emphasize the seriousness of the act. It's a word that calls attention to the act of disclosure itself, and the implications that follow. When you see or hear 'divulge,' it's a signal that something important, and likely sensitive, is being discussed regarding the sharing of information.
Gramática que debes saber
Transitive Verb Usage: "Divulge" is a transitive verb, which means it almost always takes a direct object. This object is the information that is being revealed.
He refused to divulge the details of the secret project.
Placement of Adverbs: Adverbs that modify "divulge" typically come before the verb or at the end of the sentence.
She carefully divulged the confidential information. OR She divulged the confidential information carefully.
Use with Prepositions: "Divulge" is commonly followed by prepositions like "to" when indicating the recipient of the information.
The whistleblower decided to divulge the evidence to the media.
Negative Constructions: In negative sentences, "divulge" emphasizes the act of keeping something secret.
Despite intense pressure, the witness would not divulge any names.
Passive Voice: "Divulge" can be used in the passive voice, especially when the focus is on the information being revealed rather than the person revealing it.
The sensitive data was inadvertently divulged during the data breach.
Ejemplos por nivel
Colocaciones comunes
Frases Comunes
refuse to divulge
từ chối tiết lộ
unwilling to divulge
không sẵn lòng tiết lộ
cannot divulge
không thể tiết lộ
would not divulge
sẽ không tiết lộ
never to divulge
không bao giờ tiết lộ
divulge the truth
tiết lộ sự thật
divulge any information
tiết lộ bất kỳ thông tin nào
divulge confidential information
tiết lộ thông tin mật
divulge the whereabouts
tiết lộ nơi ở
divulge the reasons
tiết lộ lý do
Patrones gramaticales
Modismos y expresiones
"spill the beans"
To reveal a secret or confidential information, often unintentionally or impulsively.
Come on, spill the beans! What did you get for your birthday?
informal"let the cat out of the bag"
To accidentally reveal a secret.
She let the cat out of the bag about our surprise party.
informal"give away a secret"
To reveal information that was meant to be kept confidential.
He nearly gave away the secret about our engagement.
neutral"blab something out"
To reveal a secret or speak indiscreetly, often without thinking.
I can't believe I blabbed out the answer to the quiz.
informal"leak information"
To intentionally or unintentionally disclose confidential information to the public or unauthorized individuals.
The documents were leaked to the press by an anonymous source.
neutral"let something slip"
To accidentally reveal a secret or confidential information.
I didn't mean to let it slip that we were planning a vacation.
neutral"blow the whistle (on someone/something)"
To expose wrongdoing or illegal activity, typically to authorities or the public.
She decided to blow the whistle on the company's fraudulent practices.
neutral"bare one's soul"
To reveal one's deepest thoughts, feelings, and secrets.
He finally bared his soul to his best friend.
neutral"come clean (about something)"
To confess or reveal the truth about something, especially after having kept it secret.
It's time you came clean about what really happened.
neutral"take into one's confidence"
To share a secret or private information with someone, trusting them not to reveal it.
She took me into her confidence and told me about her problems.
formalPatrones de oraciones
Divulge + object (secret, information, details)
He refused to divulge the source of his information.
Divulge + that-clause
The company would not divulge that they were planning a merger.
Divulge + wh-word clause (who, what, when, where, why, how)
She wouldn't divulge who told her the secret.
Divulge + to + person/group
The witness divulged crucial details to the police.
Divulge + information + about + topic
The report divulged information about the company's financial struggles.
Divulge + object + to + infinitive (rare, but possible for emphasis)
He was unwilling to divulge his plans to anyone.
Be divulged (passive voice)
The truth was finally divulged after years of secrecy.
Divulge + nothing/anything
Despite intense questioning, he divulged nothing.
Ponte a prueba 6 preguntas
Imagine you have a secret. Write one sentence about what it is and why you don't want to tell anyone.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
I have a secret about my new pet, and I don't want to tell my brother yet.
Write a sentence saying why it's sometimes good to keep a secret.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
It is good to keep a secret to surprise someone.
Complete the sentence: 'Please don't tell anyone, this is a big ___.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Please don't tell anyone, this is a big secret.
What did the friend ask?
Read this passage:
My friend told me a secret about her birthday party. She asked me not to tell anyone else, especially not our other friends. I think it's important to keep her secret so she can surprise everyone.
What did the friend ask?
The passage says, 'She asked me not to tell anyone else.'
The passage says, 'She asked me not to tell anyone else.'
Why did the sister want to keep it a secret?
Read this passage:
Mark found out his sister's favorite food. She wanted to keep it a secret from their parents because she eats it too often. Mark promised not to share this information.
Why did the sister want to keep it a secret?
The passage states, 'She wanted to keep it a secret from their parents because she eats it too often.'
The passage states, 'She wanted to keep it a secret from their parents because she eats it too often.'
What is special about the neighbor's garden?
Read this passage:
My neighbor has a secret garden. She does not want many people to know about it. It is a beautiful place with many colorful flowers. I saw it once, and I promised not to tell anyone about it.
What is special about the neighbor's garden?
The passage says, 'My neighbor has a secret garden. She does not want many people to know about it.'
The passage says, 'My neighbor has a secret garden. She does not want many people to know about it.'
/ 6 correct
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