blottlägga

Blottlägga is a Swedish transitive verb meaning to reveal or uncover something that has been hidden, to lay bare or expose. It is commonly used for bringing to light information, facts, or details that disrupt a prior assumption or concealment. The term can apply to both abstract matters, such as truth or motives, and concrete or physical details that were not previously visible.

Etymology and form: Blottlägga combines the verb blotta, meaning to bare, with the intensifying suffix -lägga, forming a compound that emphasizes making something bare or openly visible. It is distinct from related verbs like avslöja or exponera, though they share the general sense of disclosure. The word is used across formal and semi-formal Swedish, including journalism, politics, and academic writing.

Usage and nuance: The sense of blottlägga carries a forceful or investigative nuance, often implying that concealed information has been found and made public. It is typically used when disclosure changes understanding or prompts accountability. While it can describe ethical or legal scrutiny, it can also appear in contexts of personal or sensitive exposure, where the act of revealing may be controversial or intrusive.

Examples: In Swedish, one might say, “Journalisten blottlade korruption i myndigheten” (The journalist exposed corruption in the authorities) or “Rapporten blottlägger underliggande orsaker till problemet.” In English, equivalents include “to lay bare,” “to reveal,” or “to expose.”

See also: avslöja, exponera, offentliggöra, kartlägga. The terms share overlapping meanings related to making hidden information known, with varying degrees of intensity and formality.