noun
exposure; disclosure; revelation
Refers to the act of uncovering and publicizing hidden facts, scandals, or secrets, often by the media or investigators. Carries a nuance of digging up and exposing something that was meant to be concealed.
週刊誌のすっぱ抜きで汚職が明らかになった。
The corruption came to light through a weekly magazine exposé.
内部告発によるすっぱ抜き
The company's misconduct came to light through an exposé by a whistleblower.
暴露 is a more general term for exposure or disclosure, while すっぱ抜き specifically implies digging up and revealing hidden information, often with a journalistic or investigative nuance.
リーク (leak) refers to the unauthorized release of information, whereas すっぱ抜き emphasizes the active investigation and public exposure of secrets.
Derived from the verb すっぱ抜く (to expose, to disclose). The すっぱ part is thought to be a sound-symbolic element related to 'completely' or 'thoroughly', combined with 抜く (to pull out, to extract). The exact origin is uncertain.