cover one's tracks

1. Conceal one's whereabouts, activities, intentions, or the evidence of one's involvement. For example, No one knows much about where he's been—he's very good at covering his tracks. This term transfers hiding one's footprints to more general activities. [1870s] Also see cover up, def. 2.

Example Sentences

And because the historical novel doesn’t mean much if it can’t speak to the present, she grasps that the urge to rise up and cover one’s tracks in the process hasn’t changed; we just have different tools for the task.

From Los Angeles Times

Cash is widely considered to be the tender of choice in illicit finance circles, in part because it allows for immediate transfers of wealth and in part because physical money makes it relatively easy to cover one's tracks.

From US News

Secrecy and the ability to cover one’s tracks is paramount.

From New York Times

Secrecy and the ability to cover one’s tracks is paramount,” said Michael J. Driscoll, a former senior trader at Bear Stearns who now teaches at Adelphi University.

From New York Times