German word

entpuppen

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛntˈpʊpən/

Meaning

  • verbturn out

Example

Der Plan entpuppte sich als gute Idee.

The plan turned out to be a good idea.

Illustration for entpuppen (turn out)

More examples

Die Theorie entpuppte sich als falsch.

The theory turned out to be wrong.

Core concept

A cocoon opens, and what was hidden becomes visible in a new form.

Common phrases

  • sich entpuppen als

    turn out to be

Similar words

sich herausstellen: Become apparent as a fact or conclusion through time or investigation.
sich erweisen: Prove through evidence or results to possess a certain quality or status.
entlarven: Uncover concealed wrongdoing, fraud, or a false identity.
auffliegen: Come to light when an outside event reveals a lie or secret.

Definition in German

Im Nachhinein als etwas Bestimmtes erkennbar oder bekannt werden.

Word origin

The verb combines the prefix "ent-" with "Puppe" and originally referred to emerging from a pupal case before developing its figurative meaning.

Usage tips

  • The figurative verb is normally reflexive: "sich als etwas entpuppen" uses "als" before the revealed role or quality.

Other meanings

  • emerge from a cocoonverb

Word lists with this word