pull back the curtain

Meaning: To expose a hidden truth or reality behind an appearance.

Example: “The documentary pulls back the curtain on how fast-fashion clothes are really made.”

Origin: The image draws on theater curtains that conceal the stage machinery and workings behind the performance.

More English idioms

set in stone Unchangeable and permanent, fixed beyond modification.
nothing short of Absolutely; entirely; completely—nothing less than the full extent of what is stated.
give up the ghost To die, or to cease functioning entirely.
hammer and tongs With great vigor and force; in a determined and vigorous manner.
strings attached Hidden conditions or requirements that make something less advantageous than it first app…
rhyme or reason Any logical sense or reasonable explanation.

Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.

Unique New York. Three words that jam the 'y/n/k' sequence together — repeat it and it collapses into 'you…
Pad kid poured curd pulled cod. Alternating repetition — the consonants swap at the start of every other word, which is w…
Red lorry, yellow lorry. The 'l/r' alternation drill — deceptively short, yet almost impossible to say fast withou…

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