break cover

Idioms  

1. Suddenly emerge from a hiding place, as in The shots distracted our pursuers long enough so that we could break cover and make a run for it. This term originally alluded to animals being hunted, a frequent usage in the 16th century. Now that hunting is a less common pursuit, it is used for human beings.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

break cover

Those who remain, like 59-year-old Ihor, only break cover to find the bare essentials.

From BBC ● Dec. 24, 2024

Sanchez said he had at least two photographers collecting tips and following Messi and PSG for the first shots of the family when they finally break cover from their hotel.

From Reuters ● Sep. 15, 2021

The younger Mr. Zubeidi said he had not heard from his brother since his escape, nor did he expect him to break cover by returning home.

From New York Times ● Sep. 7, 2021

The first to break cover was James Mattis, the marine general who resigned as Trump’s defence secretary in December 2018 and kept silent until now.

From The Guardian ● Jun. 7, 2020

The mystery was quickly solved, for he was instantly277 attacked by the Spaniards, who, when they saw him break cover, sprang up to their feet, with a shout, as swift as the foes of Cadmus.

From The Monarchs of the Main, Volume I (of 3) Or, Adventures of the Buccaneers by Thornbury, Walter