noun

whistleblower

whistleblower

The whistleblower revealed the company's secret plans.

The whistleblower revealed the company's secret plans.

a whistleblower The whistleblower revealed the company's secret plans.

Synonyms: informant, leaker, reporter

A compound of 'whistle' + 'blower'. It comes from the metaphor of 'blowing the whistle' to stop foul play, like a referee.

Imagine someone who 'blows a whistle' to call attention to wrongdoing inside an organization, just like a referee.

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