Blow the whistle on something
/bləʊ ðə ˈwɪsl̩ ɒn ˈsʌmθɪŋ/informalUK · US
What does “Blow the whistle on something” mean?
Blow the whistle on something means to report or expose wrongdoing that has been kept hidden
An employee who tells an inspector about hidden safety failures may be blowing the whistle. The focus is on bringing the wrongdoing to someone’s attention.
It does not have to mean speaking to the press. A report to a regulator or another responsible person can also fit.
When do people say it?
Use it for revealing serious misconduct, often inside an organisation. It is stronger and more specific than simply making a complaint.
“A nurse blew the whistle on falsified safety records at the clinic.”
Is it formal or informal?
Register: informal. It is most at home in everyday conversation rather than formal writing. Most common in UK and US.
Where does it come from?
A whistle draws attention and signals that something is wrong. The expression uses that warning image for revealing misconduct.
Origin confidence: Disputed; treat with caution
How do you say “Blow the whistle on something” in other languages?
Last updated 2026-11-13