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going public (with a matter); becoming public knowledge
recourse to litigation; taking (a matter) to court
その件が表ざたになったため、大変です。
Because the matter went public, it's serious.
彼の失敗が表ざたになったので、辞職した。
His failure became public knowledge, so he resigned.
秘密が表ざたにされてしまい困っている。
The secret was made public, causing problems.