bare one's soul

present singular third person bares one's soul · participle present baring one's soul · participle past bared one's soul · past bared one's soul · alternative lay bare one's soul

1. idiomaticTo reveal one's innermost feelings and thoughts, especially concerning one's doubts, regrets, or flaws; to tell one's personal secrets to others.

   The actress bared her soul in the candid interview.

   4 more examples

   “[…] But the world might guess it; and I will not bare my soul to their shallow, prying eyes. My heart shall never be put under their microscope.[…]”

   1891, Oscar Wilde, chapter I, in The Picture of Dorian Gray, London; New York, N.Y.: Ward Lock & Co., →OCLC, page 16

   "Must a Romany bare his soul before a stranger?" replied Rhodo. . . . Must the secret of the dead be spoken before the robber of the dead—"

   1916, Gilbert Parker, chapter 26, in The World For Sale

   Her thoughts wandered about among the various friends whose judgment might serve at this crisis to clear her own thoughts. . . . No, she could not bare her soul to the bishop.

   1916, Kathleen Norris, chapter 3, in The Heart of Rachael

   Duritz's vocals are more anguished and torn than ever; he's as emotionally naked as a daytime talk-show guest, baring his soul and searching for empathy.

   1996 October 21, Christopher John Farley, “Music: First-Class Flyers”, in Time