covered up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "covered up" is correct in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has been hidden or concealed. For example: "The evidence in the case was so overwhelming that the accused could not cover it up."

✓ 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

"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

They would be covered up, he said.

The New York Times

The Guatemalan government purportedly covered up its own corruption.

The New Yorker

In Matera, the new has always covered up the old.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an action that hides or obscures information, use "covered up" to clearly indicate intent to conceal. For example: "The company was accused of having "covered up" evidence of fraud".

Common error

Avoid using "covered up" in overly passive constructions that obscure the actor. Instead of "The mistake was "covered up"", specify who did the covering up: "The manager "covered up" the mistake".

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "covered up" functions primarily to indicate that something has been hidden, concealed, or obscured, often with the intent to deceive or protect. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, where it describes hiding information or physical objects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "covered up" is a very common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of hiding or concealing something, often intentionally. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, where it frequently denotes attempts to obscure information or events. While generally neutral in register, awareness of potential misuse in passive constructions ensures clarity and strength in writing. Consider alternatives like "concealed" or "hidden" for subtle shifts in meaning. By understanding its nuances and potential pitfalls, writers can effectively employ "covered up" to convey the intended message with precision and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concealed

Focuses on the act of hiding something intentionally.

hidden

Implies something is not easily found or visible.

masked

Suggests something is disguised or its true nature is not apparent.

sheltered

Emphasizes protection from harm or exposure.

blanketed

Indicates a complete covering, often of a large area.

screened

Highlights the use of a barrier to hide or protect.

disguised

Implies an altered appearance to prevent recognition.

suppressed

Suggests actively preventing something from being known or expressed.

protected

Focuses on guarding something from danger or harm.

camouflaged

Indicates blending in with the surroundings to avoid detection.

FAQs

How to use "covered up" in a sentence?

Use "covered up" to indicate something is hidden, concealed, or protected. For example: "The evidence was "covered up" by the defendant", or "The children were "covered up" with blankets".

What can I say instead of "covered up"?

You can use alternatives like "concealed", "hidden", or "masked" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "covered up" or "cover up"?

"Cover up" is the verb form (e.g., "They tried to cover up the scandal"), while "covered up" is the past tense or past participle form (e.g., "The scandal was "covered up" by the media").

What's the difference between "covered up" and "concealed"?

"Covered up" often implies an active effort to hide something, whereas "concealed" is a more general term for something being hidden or not easily visible. "Covered up" suggests something was intentionally hidden.