Smoke out Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈsmoʊk/ /ˈaʊt

SMOHK-owt

UK

smˈəʊk/ /ˈaʊt

smOHK-owt

Definition

To force someone or something out of hiding, either literally by using smoke or figuratively by revealing secrets or information.

Usage & Nuances

Used both literally (with smoke) and figuratively (to reveal secrets or force someone to reveal themselves). Common in journalism and police contexts ('smoke out the truth'). Informal and vivid; not for very formal writing.

• Spanish: sacar a la luz - forzar a salir (con humo)
• Portuguese (BR): fazer sair (com fumaça) - revelar (algo escondido)
• Portuguese (PT): fazer sair (com fumo) - descobrir (algo escondido)
• Chinese (Simplified): 逼出（用烟）- 揭露（隐藏的人或事）
• Chinese (Traditional): 逼出（用煙）- 揭露（隱藏的人或事）
• Hindi: धुएँ से बाहर निकालना - छिपे को उजागर करना
• Arabic: إخراج بالقوة (بواسطة الدخان) - كشف (شيء مخفي)
• Bengali: ধোঁয়া দিয়ে বের করে আনা - গোপন তথ্য প্রকাশ করা
• Russian: выманить (с помощью дыма) - вывести на чистую воду
• Japanese: 燻し出す
• Vietnamese: dụ ra - ép ra khỏi chỗ ẩn nấp
• Korean: 연기(로) 몰아내다 - 드러내다
• Turkish: dumanla dışarı çıkarmak - ortaya çıkarmak
• Urdu: دھواں دے کر باہر نکالنا - سامنے لانا
• Indonesian: mengusir dengan asap - membongkar (rahasia/identitas)

Example Sentences

They used fire to smoke out the bees from the tree.

basic

Reporters tried to smoke out the truth about the scandal.

basic

The police hope to smoke out the hiding suspect.

basic

It's hard to smoke out who started the rumor, but we'll find out.

natural

The journalist's questions finally smoked out the real reason for the delay.

natural

We had to get creative to smoke out the mole in the company.

natural