take cover

Idioms  

1. Seek protection, find a hiding place, as in It started to pour so we took cover under the trees, or He wanted to avoid the reporters so we said he could take cover in our summer cottage. This term uses cover in the sense of “shelter” or “concealment,” a usage dating from the 1400s.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

take cover

Some of America's most high-profile politicians, diplomats and journalists were gathered in the Washington Hilton ballroom when they were forced to take cover under tables.

From BBC ● Apr. 26, 2026

Guests, including journalists, administration officials, and cabinet members, were instructed to take cover, with many ducking under tables as exits were secured.

From Salon ● Apr. 25, 2026

The US embassy in Oman told its staff and citizen to take cover due to "activity outside Muscat", though it was not immediately clear what that activity was.

From Barron's ● Mar. 1, 2026

Broadcast-news anchors, in full glam, take cover under listing canopies, patiently awaiting their next hit.

From Slate ● Feb. 23, 2026

Emma and I grabbed Millard and cut left to take cover behind the far side of the lighthouse.

From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs

Related Words

• bury
• camouflage
• cover
• disguise
• hole up
• mask
• obscure
• plant
• protect
• shelter
• shield
• smuggle
• stash
• suppress
• tuck away
• withhold