cover blown
Secret identity discovered
When someone's cover is blown, their true identity or secret purpose has been exposed.
The phrase comes from espionage, where agents operate under cover—a false identity or pretense.
Once blown, the deception no longer works: His cover was blown when a former colleague recognized him.
The expression extends to any situation where someone's hidden agenda or real nature is revealed.
- exposedOut in open
- unmaskedHad covering removed
- revealedMade visible or known
- outedRevealed someone's hidden truth
- identityWho someone is
spy · infiltrator · agent · code name · busted · caught · betrayed · disguise · alias · secret · dead drop · mission · enemy territory · danger · close call · flee · on the run · escape
- espionagespy, spies, double agent, double agents, spying
- Spycraftspy, agent, asset, handler, clandestine
- Informerssnitch, informer, informant, fink, squealer
cover blownincognito
With identity concealed
undercover · undiscovered · undetected · concealed · disguised
cover blownoperational
Ready to function
secure · in the clear · safe · embedded · unburned
cover blownsafe house
Secret secure refuge
operational · in play · burned · compromised
cover, blown, blow, covers, covered, covering, uncover, uncovered, discover