cover a deficit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cover a deficit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in financial contexts to describe the act of making up for a shortfall in funds or resources. Example: "The company implemented cost-cutting measures to cover a deficit in its budget for the fiscal year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

We are talking about a government that has been cutting desperately to cover a deficit.

The New Yorker

Much of the money is also meant to cover a deficit in the military budget.

The New York Times

Are seemingly bizarre collaborations in popular music desperate attempts to cover a deficit of genuine creativity?

The Guardian - Music

Lawmakers have already drawn down $3.1 billion of the fund's projected $9.5 billion reserve to cover a deficit in the current budget.

The New York Times

Dr. Hornsby had been pressing the mayor to provide more money to cover a deficit the superintendent estimated at $34 million.

The New York Times

And they were nearly in lock step against a fare increase to cover a deficit in the Metropolitan Transportation Authority budget, though, when asked specifically if they would raise fares, Mr. Golisano emphatically said "No fare hikes" while Mr. McCall said, "I don't want to do that".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

For 2002, the Actors Fundd covered a deficit of $881,000 through membership bequests and special events for its three homes -- the one here in Englewood as well as the Palm View residence in Hollywood for entertainment professionals with H.I.V./AIDS, and the Aurora Residence in Manhattan, which takes in low-income groups including seniors, working professionals and people with AIDS.

The New York Times

But he admits this will be insufficient to cover a fiscal deficit of 4% of GDP.

The Economist

Union leaders have threatened to strike unless management agrees to cover a pension deficit and avoid job cuts after the sale.

The New York Times

The kingdom has had to dig into its reserves to cover a budget deficit for 2015 that is projected to almost triple over last year.

The New Yorker

If the 90-day mediation fails, the City Council is set to vote Tuesday evening on a new budget to cover a $26 million deficit in case of bankruptcy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "cover a deficit", ensure that the context clearly indicates the means by which the deficit is being addressed (e.g., budget cuts, increased revenue, borrowing).

Common error

Do not use "cover a deficit" vaguely. Specify what action is being taken to address the deficit, rather than simply stating the intention to 'cover' it. For instance, instead of saying 'We will cover the deficit', specify 'We will cover the deficit through increased sales and reduced spending'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cover a deficit" functions as a verb phrase, where "cover" is a transitive verb requiring a direct object (the deficit). According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cover a deficit" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, primarily employed in news and media contexts to describe addressing a financial shortfall. While not exceedingly common, it effectively conveys the act of rectifying a financial imbalance, with synonyms like "offset a deficit" or "make up for a deficit" offering similar meanings. To enhance clarity, it's best practice to specify the methods used to "cover" the deficit, such as cost-cutting or increased revenue.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make up for a deficit

Focuses on compensating for what is lacking to reach a balance.

offset a deficit

Emphasizes counteracting or balancing the deficit with other funds or actions.

close a deficit

Highlights the act of finalizing the end of the deficit.

eliminate a deficit

Focuses on completely removing the deficit.

reduce a deficit

Indicates a partial decrease in the deficit amount.

rectify a deficit

Suggests correcting an error or mistake that led to the deficit.

address a deficit

Highlights taking action to deal with the deficit.

remedy a shortfall

Similar to addressing, but emphasizes correcting an inadequacy.

meet a deficit

Implies having enough resources to deal with an existing deficit.

finance a deficit

Deals specifically with how the deficit is paid for.

FAQs

What does it mean to "cover a deficit"?

To "cover a deficit" means to provide enough money or resources to make up for a shortfall, ensuring that expenses and income are balanced.

What are some ways to "cover a deficit" in a budget?

A budget "deficit" can be covered through measures such as cutting expenses, increasing revenue, or securing additional funding.

Are there alternatives to saying "cover a deficit"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "offset a deficit", "eliminate a deficit", or "make up for a deficit", depending on the specific context.

How does "cover a deficit" differ from "reduce a deficit"?

"Cover a deficit" implies fully addressing the shortfall, while "reduce a deficit" suggests only partially decreasing the deficit amount.