Synonyms

break cover

Idioms

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.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

As they break cover and pull back, the Russian soldiers are more vulnerable.

From New York Times • Nov. 10, 2022

He says the tanks had driven back to the road when Dudarenko decided to break cover.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2022

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 new electric Hummer truck will break cover during a Super Bowl ad this coming Sunday, and will be treated to a full reveal on May 20th.

From The Verge • Jan. 30, 2020

That by day is by battue, when a whole tribe turns out to “beard the lion in his den” and make him break cover.

From Notes in North Africa Being a Guide to the Sportsman and Tourist in Algeria and Tunisia by Windham, W. G.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023