paper over

British  

verb

1. (tr, adverb) to conceal (something controversial or unpleasant)

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paper over Idioms  

1. Also, paper over the cracks. Repair superficially, conceal, especially flaws. For example, He used some accounting gimmicks to paper over a deficit, or It was hardly a perfect settlement, but they decided to paper over the cracks. The German statesman Otto von Bismarck first used this analogy in a letter in 1865, and the first recorded example in English, in 1910, referred to it. The allusion is to covering cracked plaster with wallpaper, thereby improving its appearance but not the underlying defect.

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Example Sentences

Absent a way to boost growth to lift young Chinese’s fortunes, the government tried to paper over the problem.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

Croft: When we get to summer, it’s going to be harder to paper over the degree of the supply shock.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

But there were only so many problems that talent could paper over for the Trojans, even if Northwestern had come into Wednesday night on the heels of a five-game losing streak.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2026

A 4-1 scoreline more accurately reflects the cricket played, denies the opportunity to paper over the cracks and provides clarity for the way ahead.

From BBC • Jan. 6, 2026

“Just sit up here,” Chloe says, pulling fresh paper over the table.

From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen