Definition

Verb: 1. To conceal or hide something, especially something wrong or illegal, from discovery or knowledge: This involves actively taking steps to prevent a truth, fact, or object from being seen or known. 2. To prevent something from being seen by placing something over it: This literal meaning involves physically obscuring an object.

Usage and Examples

• Verb (to conceal wrongdoing):

  • The company tried to cover up the evidence of the chemical spill.
  • He lied to cover up his mistake.
  • The scandal involved a conspiracy to cover up the truth from the public.

• Verb (to physically obscure):

  • She used makeup to cover up the bruise on her cheek.
  • Please cover up the furniture with sheets before we start painting.

Advanced Usage

• "A cover-up" (noun): A deliberate action or plan to conceal a crime, scandal, or mistake.
  • The investigation revealed a massive government cover-up.
  • The CEO's resignation was part of the cover-up.

Variants and Related Words

• Cover-up (noun): The act or instance of concealing something. (Note: This is a compound noun derived from the phrasal verb).
• Cover (verb): A broader term meaning to place something over, to include, or to report on an event. "Cover up" is a more specific, often negative, form of "cover."

Synonyms

• Conceal: To keep something secret or hidden.
• Hide: To put or keep out of sight.
• Suppress: To prevent something from being revealed or published.
• Whitewash: To conceal unpleasant facts about someone or something.

Phrasal Verbs

• Cover up is itself a phrasal verb. Its meanings are detailed in the definition and examples above.

Related Idioms

• To sweep something under the rug: To hide a problem or mistake in the hope it will be forgotten. (Similar in meaning to covering up a wrongdoing).
  • The manager tried to sweep the complaint under the rug instead of addressing it.

Verb

1. hide from view or knowledge
   • The President covered the fact that he bugged the offices in the White House