Covered up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "covered up" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that has been concealed or hidden from view or knowledge. Example: The scandal was covered up by the authorities to protect their reputation. Alternative expressions include "concealed," "hidden," and "masked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Covered up, but not prim.

The New York Times

Malaysian officials covered up Eve's breasts.

The Economist

Respectable, covered up, proper and decent.

Independent

Men covered up; women exposed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Then she covered up a gang murder.

The Washington Post

They would be covered up, he said.

The New York Times

Facebook had covered up a major scandal.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Everything was covered up," Mr. Lloyd said.

The New York Times

He's covered up efforts to investigate torture.

The Guardian

Libby has successfully covered up for Cheney.

The Guardian - Opinion

I wanted nothing covered up, nothing hidden.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "covered up" in the context of concealment, consider the intent and method. Use stronger synonyms like "suppressed" or "obfuscated" if you want to emphasize deliberate action.

Common error

Avoid using "covered up" only in its literal sense (e.g., physically covering something) when you intend to convey a figurative meaning (e.g., concealing information). Ensure the context clearly indicates the intended meaning to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "covered up" is as a phrasal verb, often used in the passive voice. It describes an action where something is concealed or hidden. Examples from Ludwig show its use in contexts ranging from covering up scandals to describing clothing. Ludwig AI indicates that this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

16%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "covered up" functions primarily as a phrasal verb signifying concealment or being fully clothed. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and commonly used across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, but also in science and wiki sources. While it carries a neutral tone suitable for various settings, more precise alternatives like "concealed" or "suppressed" may be preferable when emphasizing specific aspects of concealment. Understanding the subtle differences between these options will enhance the clarity and precision of your writing. Avoid assuming a figurative meaning is understood when your sentence can be misinterpreted in a literal sense.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Concealed

Single word alternative replacing the phrasal verb with a participle, less emphasis on the action.

Hidden

Similar to "concealed", but carries a more general sense of being out of sight.

Masked

Emphasizes the disguise aspect of being hidden.

Obscured

Highlights the making something difficult to see or understand.

Kept secret

Focuses on the intentionality of hiding something.

Suppressed

Implies the forceful prevention of something from being known.

Clothed

Refers to being dressed or having garments on, a literal interpretation.

Dressed warmly

Focuses on protection from the weather through clothing.

Bundled up

Suggests being heavily clothed, especially for cold weather.

Disguised

Implies an alteration in appearance to prevent recognition.

FAQs

How is "covered up" used in a sentence?

"Covered up" can be used in a sentence to mean concealed or hidden, as in "The evidence was "covered up" to protect the company's reputation", or to indicate being fully clothed, as in "She was "covered up" in warm clothes for the winter."

What are some synonyms for "covered up"?

Some synonyms for "covered up" include "concealed", "hidden", "masked", and "obscured". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "covered up" or "concealed"?

Both "covered up" and "concealed" are valid. "Covered up" is more informal and often implies a deliberate act of hiding something, while "concealed" is more formal and can refer to something being hidden without intention.

What is the difference between "covered up" and "hidden"?

"Hidden" generally refers to something that is simply not visible or known. "Covered up", on the other hand, often implies an active effort to conceal or obscure something, although it can also refer to being physically clothed.