Meaning trap
come out
become known (information, truth, secret)
To become known or revealed, especially something that was hidden or secret.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To become known or revealed, especially something that was hidden or secret.
Another meaning of 'come out' is 'be released (for books, movies, products, etc.)'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
It finally came out that he had been lying about his qualifications.
Sometimes, when a mistake comes out at work, it can be embarrassing but it’s important to be honest.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: I came out that he'd lied.
Say: It came out that he'd lied. / I found out that he'd lied.
This sense is impersonal — 'it came out that…'. For discovering it yourself, use 'find out'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
For a hidden fact surfacing, 'come out' is the everyday verb; 'was revealed to everyone' is dramatic and written.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
come out + truth surfacing
- the truth
- it came out that
- the facts
- eventually
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- come out (be released (for books, movies, products, etc.)) — Another meaning of 'come out' is 'be released (for books, movies, products, etc.)'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.