cover up

USAGE SUMMARY

"cover up" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the action of someone hiding something, or trying to hide something, from view. For example: "He tried to cover up the evidence of his crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Women should cover up.

The Economist

You cover up.

Independent

Argentinian Cover Up.

The New York Times

Cover up the data.

The New York Times

Cover up the layers.

The New York Times

Cover up clear for a week.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

An attempted cover-up.

The New York Times

"A cover-up".

The New York Times

"It's a cover-up".

The New York Times

FOR once, no cover-up.

The Economist

What about a cover-up?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cover up" to describe hiding a mistake or wrongdoing, consider the ethical implications. Ensure transparency and accountability are prioritized.

Common error

Avoid using "cover up" when simply describing the act of covering something for protection or warmth. Use more specific verbs like "wrap", "shield", or "protect" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "cover up" functions primarily as a verb indicating the act of concealing or disguising something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage. Examples include attempts to conceal scandals or mistakes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

40%

News & Media

35%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

6%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cover up" is a common and grammatically sound phrasal verb used to describe the act of concealing or disguising something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. It's often employed in contexts related to hiding mistakes, scandals, or sensitive information, with usage spanning across neutral and sometimes informal registers. While synonyms like "conceal" and "hide" can be used, "cover up" specifically implies an active effort to prevent discovery. Remember to consider the ethical implications when using this phrase, as transparency and accountability are crucial in many situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conceal

Focuses on hiding something from sight or knowledge.

hide

Implies preventing something from being seen or discovered.

disguise

Suggests altering the appearance of something to conceal its true nature.

mask

Emphasizes concealing something behind a deceptive facade.

cloak

Indicates covering something to make it less visible or obvious.

bury

Suggests concealing something deeply or thoroughly.

suppress

Implies preventing something from being known or expressed.

whitewash

Indicates concealing wrongdoing or mistakes to make them appear acceptable.

sweep under the rug

Suggests ignoring or concealing a problem or mistake.

keep under wraps

Emphasizes maintaining secrecy about something.

FAQs

How can I use "cover up" in a sentence?

You can use "cover up" to mean to conceal something, like in the sentence, "The politician tried to cover up his involvement in the scandal."

What are some synonyms for "cover up"?

Alternatives for "cover up" include "conceal", "hide", or "disguise", depending on the specific context.

Is "cover up" formal or informal?

"Cover up" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's essential to consider the connotations, especially when implying wrongdoing.

What is the difference between "cover up" and "conceal"?

"Cover up" often implies an active attempt to hide something, especially a mistake or scandal, while "conceal" simply means to keep something secret or hidden.