come out of the closet

Friendly

Explanation of "Come Out of the Closet"

Definition: The phrase "come out of the closet" means to publicly reveal one's sexual orientation, especially when someone has previously kept it a secret. It is often used when someone shares that they are gay, lesbian, or bisexual.

Usage Instructions

• When to Use: You can use this phrase when talking about someone who is sharing their sexual orientation with others. It can also refer to someone revealing other personal information that they have kept private.
• Who Uses It: This phrase is commonly used in discussions about LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and others) rights and identities.

Example Sentence

• "After years of hiding his true self, John finally came out of the closet and told his friends he is gay."

Advanced Usage

• In some contexts, "coming out" can refer to revealing any personal aspect of oneself, not just sexual orientation. For example, someone might "come out of the closet" about being a recovering addict or about their political beliefs.

Word Variants

• Coming Out: The process of revealing one’s sexual orientation.
  • Example: "Coming out can be a challenging experience for many people."
• Came Out: The past tense of "come out."
  • Example: "She came out last year and felt a sense of relief."

Different Meanings

• The phrase can also be used metaphorically to mean revealing any long-hidden truth about oneself. For example, "He finally came out of the closet about his love for painting."

Synonyms

• Reveal: To make something known that was previously secret.
  • Example: "She decided to reveal her true feelings."
• Disclose: To make something known to others.
  • Example: "He chose to disclose his health condition."

Related Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

• Out: Sometimes used as a verb on its own, meaning to reveal someone’s secret, especially regarding their sexual orientation.
  • Example: "He was outed by a tabloid magazine."
• Coming out: This can also refer to the broader process of accepting oneself and acknowledging one’s identity.
  • Example: "The coming out process can vary greatly from person to person."

Summary

"Come out of the closet" is a significant phrase in discussions about identity and acceptance. It emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and expressing one’s identity openly.

Academic

Verb

1. to state openly and publicly one's homosexuality
   • This actor outed last year

Synonyms

• out
• come out