put (one's) head above the parapet

To brave the risk of receiving unfavorable reactions from others by stating or defending opinions that may be considered controversial. Thank goodness that someone put their head above the parapet and drew customers' attention to the deceitful practices of these corporations. Several senators put their heads above the parapet and defended the legislation against attacks from their own party.

If you put your head above the parapet or stick your head above the parapet, you give an opinion in public about something that may cause people to attack or criticize you. A number of politicians hold this unpopular view, though few are prepared to put their heads above the parapet and admit it. In giving his main character political opinions which are quite obviously his own, the author risks sticking his head above the parapet. Note: Verbs such as raise or lift can be used instead of put and stick. People have become more and more reluctant to raise their head above the parapet — people are frightened to address these issues. Note: If you keep your head below the parapet, you do not risk saying something in public that might be attacked or criticized. Most experts have preferred to keep their heads below the parapet, well aware of the kind of panic headlines that their findings could produce. Note: Parapets are banks of earth or walls which soldiers build for protection against enemy attacks.