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

Speaking to journalists in Finland, where he is attending a security summit, Sir Keir Starmer speculation McSweeney's account could be untrue and the government was involved in a cover-up was wrong.

From BBC

It centred around the cover-up of a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in 1972.

From BBC

The school then carried out a “cover-up” of Van der Woude’s behavior and facilitated his transfer to a new high school with a clean record, the lawsuit alleges.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s incredibly serious, points to a possible cover-up and is something that is just developing,” he said.

From Salon

One thing is certain: The cover-up isn’t being conducted in the shadows.

From Salon

Related Words

• complicity
• conspiracy
• evasion