put your head above the parapet

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.
See also: above, head, parapet, put
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

put your head above the parapet

or

stick your head above the parapet

BRITISH
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.
See also: above, head, parapet, put
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • put (one's) head above the parapet
  • stick (one's) head above the parapet
  • thank goodness
  • Thank goodness!
  • to goodness
  • goodness me
  • my goodness me
  • goodness knows
  • goodness gracious
  • put (one) at a disadvantage
References in periodicals archive
Like all such supporters, myself included, the anti-Semite slur arrives as soon as you put your head above the parapet, either to support Palestine or criticise Israel.
"I think people don't quite understand how much it requires to put your head above the parapet. It's no fun having your head shot off all the time" - The Prince of Wales, saying he is determined to be 'the defender of nature'.
Stop sitting in your hands and put your head above the parapet. Tell us which way you are going to jump.
"In this game, I find if you put your head above the parapet, you tend to get it knocked off.
Dr Parker said: "There is a huge need for disaster management expertise, but to put your head above the parapet and say to the UN, the World Food Organisation and the British government that they could improve takes a lot of bravery."