cover-up

American  

[kuhv-er-uhp] / ˈkʌv ərˌʌp /

noun

1. any action, stratagem, or other means of concealing or preventing investigation or exposure.

2. Also coverup any of various women's garments, as loose blouses, jump suits, caftans, or sarongs, worn over a swimsuit, exercise clothing, or the like.

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cover-up British  

noun

1. concealment or attempted concealment of a mistake, crime, etc

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verb

1. (tr) to cover completely

2. to attempt to conceal (a mistake or crime)

   she tried to cover up for her friend

3. (intr) boxing to defend the body and head with the arms

cover up Idioms  

1. Wrap up or enfold in order to protect. For example, Be sure to cover up the outdoor furniture in case of rain , or It's cold, so be sure to cover up the baby . [Late 1800s]

2. Conceal something, especially a crime, as in The opposition accused the President of covering up his assistant's suicide . [c. 1920]

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Etymology

Origin of cover-up

First recorded in 1925–30; noun use of verb phrase cover up

Example Sentences

However, residents raised concerns about the risk of a serious accident, citing frequent cover-up scandals, minor accidents and evacuation plans they say are inadequate.

From Barron's

The victims' families also said valuable evidence was lost when the crash site was bulldozed soon after the accident, leading to claims of an attempted cover-up.

From Barron's

It also alleges the cover-up went all the way up to Customs and Border Protection commissioner Rodney Scott, who was Border Patrol deputy chief for the San Diego region when Hernández Rojas died.

From Los Angeles Times

"So much of my dad's story and how he got away was cover-up and deception, but I want to fly in the face of that and bring things into the light."

From BBC

At the time, Phillips denied claims of a cover-up and insisted the government was "committed to exposing the failures".

From BBC

Related Words

• complicity
• conspiracy
• evasion