cloak of respectability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cloak of respectability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a facade or appearance of respectability that conceals less reputable actions or intentions. Example: "The politician wore a cloak of respectability, masking his questionable dealings behind a polished public image."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The involvement of doctors creates a cloak of respectability and legitimacy to torture and mistreatment.

The Guardian - Opinion

All the best, Billy Dear Billy, English nationalism has been used as a cloak of respectability by assorted bigots, fascists and racists.

The Guardian

We'd got away with Back to the Future, slipped Predator past you in a cloak of respectability and zapped Ghostbusters's critical hot spots.

The Guardian - Film

Those same academics who seek to root out class and ethnic prejudice should be allergic to accent-prejudice.Instead, scorn for those who talk different is given a cloak of respectability.

The Economist

Especially given that Fatah, in opposition, is now having its cloak of respectability exposed, and its quasi-clandestine terror arm is being revealed as having been no different from the rest —which we knew all along.

The New York Times

But we should beware of a debate where the starting point is an ideological objective of lower taxes, because that can give a rhetorical cloak of respectability to all kinds of things that can harm our lives and our society.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

And all Asian countries crave the cloak of international respectability, from membership of the OECD club to the kudos of hosting the Olympic Games or World Cup.Good governance is hard to achieve so long as bankruptcy courts and judges are inexperienced or easily pressured.

The Economist

Whether Communist, Ku Klux Klan or Birchers!" The crowd boos and begins a continuous cheer of "We want Barry!" "There is no place in this Republican Party for those who would infiltrate its ranks, distort its aims and convert it into a cloak of apparent respectability for a dangerous extremism.

The New York Times

When I went out at first, I used to feel almost naked without a cloak of "corporate respectability" to hide behind--but I'm rapidly discovering that being taken for who you are, rather than what organisation you work for, can be just as enjoyable.

Science Magazine

draped a cloak of intellectual respectability around anti-Muslim contempt.

Huffington Post

It is revealing that the one incontrovertible success of Niven's career, his 1958 Oscar-winning performance as the major in Terence Rattigan's Separate Tables, was a portrait of a louche, rather despondent figure, whose veneer of respectability cloaked a furtive history of sexual misdemeanours.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cloak of respectability" when you want to emphasize how something appears respectable on the surface, while potentially concealing negative or controversial aspects.

Common error

Avoid using "cloak of respectability" simply to describe something that is genuinely respectable. The phrase implies a hidden, less acceptable reality beneath the surface.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cloak of respectability" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object of a preposition. Ludwig AI suggests that the phrase is often used to describe something that appears respectable but conceals less acceptable actions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cloak of respectability" is a noun phrase used to denote an outward appearance of respectability that conceals a less acceptable reality. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and usable phrase, generally employed in neutral to formal contexts like News & Media to critique or expose hypocrisy. While not exceptionally common, its usage is consistent across reputable sources. Related phrases include "veneer of respectability" and "facade of respectability". When employing this phrase, ensure that there is an underlying implication of deception, avoiding its use when describing genuinely respectable entities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

veneer of respectability

Focuses on a thin, superficial layer that provides an appearance of respectability.

facade of respectability

Highlights the deceptive nature of an outward display of respectability.

guise of respectability

Emphasizes the act of pretending or appearing respectable.

mask of respectability

Stresses the concealment of a different reality behind a respectable facade.

semblance of respectability

Implies an imitation or superficial likeness of respectability.

air of respectability

Refers to an atmosphere or impression of being respectable.

pretense of respectability

Underscores the falseness or insincerity of the displayed respectability.

show of respectability

Indicates a deliberate display intended to project a respectable image.

illusion of respectability

Highlights the deceptive and unreal nature of the presented respectability.

outward respectability

Focuses specifically on the visible, external aspect of respectability.

FAQs

How can I use "cloak of respectability" in a sentence?

Use "cloak of respectability" to describe a situation where something appears respectable on the surface, but conceals something less savory underneath. For instance, "The company used philanthropy as a "cloak of respectability" to hide its unethical labor practices".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "cloak of respectability"?

Alternatives include "veneer of respectability", "facade of respectability", or "guise of respectability", each emphasizing the deceptive appearance of respectability.

What is the difference between "cloak of respectability" and "air of respectability"?

"Cloak of respectability" suggests a deliberate attempt to hide something disreputable, while "air of respectability" simply implies an atmosphere or impression of being respectable, without necessarily implying deception.

Is "cloak of respectability" a formal or informal expression?

"Cloak of respectability" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more commonly found in analytical or critical writing, such as news articles or academic papers.