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to shed light on sth
01
to provide clarification, understanding, or insight into a topic, situation, or problem
What is the origin of the idiom "shed light on something" and when to use it?
The idiom "shed light on something" comes from the literal act of illuminating something to make it visible or clearer. Historically, before the advent of electric lighting, people used candles, lanterns, or other sources of light to see in the dark. This practical need to illuminate objects and surroundings naturally extended into metaphorical use. Thus, "shedding light" on a subject came to mean providing insight or clarity, helping to understand or reveal information that was previously obscure or hidden.
Exemple
The investigation aims to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the suspicious disappearance.
The museum's exhibits showcased a diverse array of artifacts, including religious relics as well as profane objects that shed light on secular aspects of historical and cultural development.
The historian discovered an ancient document that shed light on a lost civilization.
During construction, workers unearthed fossils that shed light on prehistoric life.
The witness testimony shed light on the events leading up to the accident.
