Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[hiromichi]

What does "out oneself" mean? In the context below did Blumenthal fight against the State Department?


Upon initial review, the messages contain no incriminating evidence that her opponents could use as large-scale attacks, but there will almost certainly be renewed focus on her reliance on Mr. Blumenthal, whom her aides expressed concern about in one email as having “outed himself ” for engaging with the State Department.
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Hiromichi

[Lorikeet]

Usually "to out oneself" is used when there is some kind of secret that a person has, and then by telling someone or acting in a certain way, it is no longer a secret, so the person has thereby outed himself. It is commonly used for gay people who "come out" (perhaps it came from "out of the closet"?) by telling someone or making a comment. It could be used in other circumstances too. In this case Blumenthal probably wasn't expected or supposed to be giving advice to the Secretary of State. At least, that is how it seems to me.

[hiromichi]

Lorikeet: I got it. Thank you very much.
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Hiromichi