広げる

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 広げる (ひろげる) is a transitive verb in which an agent spreads an object or broadens its extent.
• Basic usage: 地図を広げた is a completed physical unfolding of a map, while 友人の輪を広げる figuratively expands a circle of relationships through an exchange meeting.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• The object is retained across both senses
  • In both the physical 地図を広げた and figurative 友人の輪を広げる uses, を marks what is made wider. Neither says that the object expanded on its own.