blow the whistle on

blow the whistle on
   to make public a taboo or questionable activity of another
   The action of the referee who thus stops play after a foul:
    He was a number one hitman for the Cosa Nostra and he blew the whistle on them. (Diehl, 1978)
   See also whistleblower.

How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms. . 2014.

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  • blow the whistle on — (someone/something) to tell someone in authority about something bad that is happening so that it can be stopped. He was dismissed when he tried to blow the whistle on the safety problems at the factory. The kids are encouraged to blow the… …   New idioms dictionary

  • Blow the whistle — may refer to:* Blow the Whistle (album), by Too Short * Blow the Whistle (song), by Too Short * refereeing a sports match * Whistleblowing, reporting inappropriate activity to outsiders …   Wikipedia

  • blow the whistle — (on sb/sth) ► to tell someone in authority about something harmful or illegal that someone is doing: » If two of the firm s employees hadn t blown the whistle, the scandal would never have become known. Main Entry: ↑blow …   Financial and business terms

  • blow the whistle on sb — blow the whistle (on sb/sth) ► to tell someone in authority about something harmful or illegal that someone is doing: » If two of the firm s employees hadn t blown the whistle, the scandal would never have become known. Main Entry: ↑blow …   Financial and business terms

  • blow the whistle on — (informal) 1. To inform on (a person) 2. To expose (an illegal practice, etc) • • • Main Entry: ↑blow * * * I see whistle II informal bring an illicit activity to an end by info …   Useful english dictionary

  • blow the whistle on — blow the whistle (on (someone/something)) to show to the public dangerous conditions or illegal activities. I knew my company was polluting the water, but I was afraid I would lose my job if I blew the whistle on it. Usage notes: usually… …   New idioms dictionary

  • blow the whistle — (on (someone/something)) to show to the public dangerous conditions or illegal activities. I knew my company was polluting the water, but I was afraid I would lose my job if I blew the whistle on it. Usage notes: usually something bad is shown in …   New idioms dictionary

  • blow the whistle — If somebody blows the whistle on a plan, they report it to the authorities …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • blow the whistle on — ► blow the whistle on informal bring (an illicit activity) to an end by informing on the person responsible. Main Entry: ↑whistle …   English terms dictionary

  • blow the whistle — phrasal slang : betray, inform * * * blow the whistle see ↑whistle, 1 • • • Main Entry: ↑blow blow the whistle : to tell police, reporters …   Useful english dictionary

  • blow the whistle —    If you report an illegal or socially harmful activity to the authorities, and give information about those responsible for it, you blow the whistle or you are a whistle blower.     He refused to blow the whistle on his boss for fear of losing… …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

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