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to shed light on something
01
to provide clarification, understanding, or insight into a topic, situation, or problem
IdiomWhat 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.
Example
The documentary compellingly presented the facts, shedding light on important issues.
The study of epenthesis sheds light on the mechanisms behind speech production and perception, revealing patterns of phonological adaptation in languages.
The documentary shed light on the systemic injustices faced by marginalized communities.
Extragalactic astronomy sheds light on cosmic evolution.
The archaeologists unearthed ancient artifacts that shed light on the Gordian civilization.
