すっぱ抜ぬき

す

っ

ぱ

ぬ

き

Meanings

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.

週しゅう刊かん誌しのすっぱ抜ぬきで汚お職しょくが明あきらかになった。
The corruption came to light through a weekly magazine exposé.
内ない部ぶ告こく発はつによるすっぱ抜ぬきで企き業ぎょうの不ふ正せいが明あきらかになった。
The company's misconduct came to light through an exposé by a whistleblower.

Kanji

抜slip out, extract, pull out
素elementary, principle, naked
破rend, rip, tear

Related words

暴ばく露ろ
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
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.

Written forms

すっぱ抜ぬきUsage100%
Standard mixed kana-kanji spelling; the most common written form.
素すっ破ぱ抜ぬき
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form; learners are unlikely to encounter it.

Etymology

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.