[shed] light on {sth}
1
to provide clarification, understanding, or insight into a topic, situation, or problem
The idiom "shed light on something" comes from the literal act of illuminating something to make it visible or clearer. Historically, before the advent of electric lighting, people used candles, lanterns, or other sources of light to see in the dark. This practical need to illuminate objects and surroundings naturally extended into metaphorical use. Thus, "shedding light" on a subject came to mean providing insight or clarity, helping to understand or reveal information that was previously obscure or hidden.
- The new documentary sheds light on the environmental impact of deforestation in the Amazon.
- Her research findings shed light on the complexities of human behavior in stressful situations.
- The witness testimony shed light on the events leading up to the accident.
- The investigation aims to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the suspicious disappearance.
- The therapist's questions were designed to shed light on the underlying reasons for the patient's anxiety.