destapar
transitive verb
destapar
destapar(
dehs
-
tah
-
pahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g. I bought a book.).
1. (to remove cover from)
b. to take the lid off (a box, pot or container)
Deja la sopa tapada los primeros diez minutos. Después destapa la olla y déjala reposar.Keep the soup covered for the first ten minutes. Then take the lid off the pot and let it stand.
c. to uncork (a bottle with cork)
¿Me podrías ayudar a destapar el vino?Could you help me uncork the wine?
d. to pull the covers off (a person sleeping)
Él siempre destapa a su esposa.He always pulls the covers off his wife.
2. (to discover)
a. to uncover
Fue Alejandro quien destapó el secreto de mi abuela.It was Alejandro who uncovered my grandmother's secret.
b. to reveal
El gobernador destapó a su sucesor la tarde de ayer.Yesterday afternoon the governor revealed who his successor would be.
c. to lift the lid on (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g. skinny, grandma).
Carlos es el periodista que destapó el fraude masivo en la empresa.Carlos is the journalist who lifted the lid on the massive fraud going on in the company.
3. (to clear) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to unblock
Le pidieron al conserje ayuda para destapar el inodoro.They asked the janitor to help them unblock the toilet.
b. to unclog
Necesito el desatascador para destapar el desagüe.I need the plunger to unclog the drain.
destaparse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g. Miguel se lava.).
4. (to remove one's bedclothes)
a. to throw the covers off
Inés se destapa todas las noches y amanece fría.Inés throws the covers off every night and wakes up cold.
b. to throw the bedclothes off
Me destapé porque tenía calor.I threw off the bedclothes because I was hot.
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g. Te ves cansado.).
5. (to show oneself)
a. to open up (by talking openly)
Mi mejor amiga es la única persona con quien me he destapado.My best friend is the only person I've ever opened up to.
b. to come out (by appearing publicly)
El antiguo cantante se destapó como posible candidato independiente.The former singer has come out as a possible independent candidate.
6. (to clear)
a. to be unblocked
No estarás sorda cuando se te destapen los oídos.You won't be deaf once your ears are unblocked.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Desde que estuvo nadando, a Betty no se le han destapado los oídos.Betty's ears have been blocked ever since she went swimming.
¿Qué hago para que se me destapen los oídos?How can I unblock my ears?
7. (colloquial) (to undress)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g. skinny, grandma).
8. (colloquial) (to declare one's homosexuality)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g. skinny, grandma).
a. to come out
Michelle se sintió más libre cuando se destapó ante sus padres.Michelle felt freer when she had come out to her parents.
destapartransitive verbpronominal verb
Copyright © 2006 Harrap Publishers LimitedA transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g. I bought a book.).
1. (caja, botella)
a. to open
2. (olla)
a. to take the lid off
3. (oídos)
a. to unblock
4. (descubrir)
a. to uncover
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g. Te ves cansado.).
5. (desabrigarse)
a. to lose the covers
el bebé se destapa por las nochesthe baby kicks the blankets off at night
6. (oídos)
a. to become unblocked
7. (revelarse)
a. to open up
al final se destapó el escándaloin the end the scandal came to light
Collins Complete Spanish Electronic Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
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