barely veiled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely veiled" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that is apparent but not explicitly stated. For example, "His comments contained a barely veiled warning for anyone who opposed his plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She offered a barely veiled "good riddance".

The New York Times

Some have delivered barely veiled broadsides against Mr. Karzai.

The New York Times

B looks at his father with barely veiled incredulity.

The New Yorker

Italy made a barely veiled threat along these lines this week.

The Economist

In January 1974 he departed the armed forces for politics with a barely veiled denunciation of his fellow generals.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That there was no love lost between the pair of Celtics and James's co-star Dwyane Wade was barely veiled.

The New York Times - Sports

A long A-line evening dress barely veiled the body and came frisked with tiny Parisian feathers.

The New York Times

People want to read things that are relevant, interesting, and not predicated on barely veiled advertising guile.

The Guardian - Opinion

They are still standing," said Dawson, in a barely veiled swipe towards what he regards as overplayed Zika concerns.

The Guardian - Sport

Costumed as macho archetypes -- construction worker, soldier, Indian brave -- and singing barely veiled gay paeans like "Y.M.C.A".

The New York Times

"Let me give you an example, if I may," was the quiet precursor to a barely veiled swipe at Sutton.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely veiled" to add nuance when describing something that isn't explicitly stated but is clearly implied. For instance, "The politician's speech contained a "barely veiled" threat to his opponents."

Common error

Avoid using "barely veiled" when the implication is actually quite obvious. If something is blatantly apparent, a stronger phrase like "blatant" or "obvious" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely veiled" functions as an adjective modifying a noun, describing the quality of something that is not fully concealed or explicitly stated. Ludwig's examples highlight its use in contexts where subtlety and implication are key.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "barely veiled" is a frequently used adjective phrase that describes something thinly disguised or not completely hidden. As indicated by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media, where it conveys a sense of understated intent. While other options exist, such as "thinly disguised" or "poorly concealed", the choice depends on the specific shade of meaning one intends to convey. It's important to avoid using "barely veiled" when the implication is too obvious and stronger words should be considered. The frequency of the phrase and the consistency of its usage across authoritative sources reinforce its reliability in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thinly disguised

Focuses on the lack of effective concealment.

poorly concealed

Emphasizes the inadequacy of the attempt to hide something.

scarcely concealed

Highlights the minimal effort or success in hiding something.

lightly masked

Suggests a superficial attempt to cover something up.

faintly disguised

Indicates a weak or subtle attempt at concealment.

hardly concealed

Highlights the lack of real concealment.

just perceptible

Emphasizes how something could be perceived.

almost transparent

Focuses on the visibility of something intended to be hidden.

weakly hidden

Stresses the ineffectiveness of the attempt to hide something.

poorly hidden

Highlights the inadequacy of how something was hidden.

FAQs

How can I use "barely veiled" in a sentence?

Use "barely veiled" to describe something that is subtly suggested or implied, but not openly stated. For example, "Her compliment was a "barely veiled" insult."

What's a similar phrase to "barely veiled"?

Similar phrases include "thinly disguised", "poorly concealed", or "lightly masked". These all suggest something is not fully hidden or explicit.

Is it correct to say "barely veiled attempt"?

Yes, "barely veiled attempt" is a common and correct usage. It describes an effort to conceal something that is not very effective.

What is the difference between "barely veiled" and "overt"?

"Barely veiled" implies something is subtly suggested, while "overt" means something is open and obvious. They are near opposites.