take the lid off (of) (something)
(redirected from take the lid off it)take the lid off (of) (something)
To expose some secret to the public, often something scandalous, unpleasant, or deceptive. That company's stock price plummeted after the media took the lid off the CEO's embezzlement scandal. She is known for taking the lid off of the government's massive cover-up.
take the lid off (of) something
and take the lid off1. Lit. to remove the lid from something. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) I took the lid off the box and set it aside. Karen took off the lid.
2. Fig. to reveal a set of previously concealed problems. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) You took the lid off this mess. You straighten it out! You took off the lid, so you have to settle it.