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

A resident of Puerto Vallarta for 16 years, Perez questioned whether the government could have alerted the population so they could take cover before the ensuing violence.

From Barron's ● Feb. 24, 2026

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

From Slate ● Feb. 23, 2026

The wind whistles even louder, reminding me we will have to take cover soon.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera

Related Words

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