gloss over

USAGE SUMMARY

"gloss over" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to mean to ignore or skip over something, and is often used with negative connotations. For example: "He tried to gloss over his mistakes in the presentation, but everyone could still tell he was unprepared."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the storytellers will gloss over that.

The Economist

"It's hard to gloss over that.

The New York Times

Consequently, people occasionally gloss over the facts.

The Guardian

We don't gloss over things.

Los Angeles Times

"That's not easy to gloss over".

Los Angeles Times

We didn't want to gloss over that.

Vice

These dystopic films effectively gloss over that.

Vice

But, he added, they might gloss over important distinctions.

Los Angeles Times

At the same time, don't gloss over too many specifics.

WikiHow

"Let's gloss over that.

The Guardian - Music

He did not gloss over its undeniable failings.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gloss over" when you want to convey that someone is intentionally avoiding detailed discussion or scrutiny of a topic, often to conceal problems or avoid conflict.

Common error

Avoid using "gloss over" when you simply mean to summarize or provide a brief overview. "Gloss over" carries a connotation of deliberate omission or superficial treatment, whereas a summary aims to condense information accurately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gloss over" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the act of treating something superficially or avoiding its complexities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Examples show it often describes minimizing or concealing problematic details.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

16%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gloss over" is a phrasal verb used to describe the act of avoiding or minimizing the importance of certain details, often with the intention of concealing problems or avoiding scrutiny. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and very commonly used, particularly in news and media. While broadly applicable, writers should be mindful of its slightly informal tone and potential negative connotations, especially in formal contexts where more neutral alternatives may be appropriate. Common synonyms include phrases such as "skim over" and "brush aside", offering writers versatility in expressing this concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skim over

Emphasizes a lack of thoroughness, focusing on superficial reading or treatment.

brush aside

Suggests a dismissal of something, often implying it's unimportant or inconvenient.

downplay

Indicates an effort to reduce the perceived importance or severity of something.

soft-pedal

Implies a gentle or subtle approach to avoid causing alarm or concern.

paper over

Conveys a superficial attempt to hide or conceal problems without truly resolving them.

whitewash

Suggests an attempt to conceal wrongdoing or corruption, often with misleading information.

sugarcoat

Implies making something seem more pleasant or acceptable than it really is.

trivialize

Indicates treating something as less important than it actually is.

skirt around

Suggests avoiding a direct approach to a topic or issue.

gloss up

Focuses on making something superficially attractive or appealing, potentially masking underlying issues.

FAQs

How can I use "gloss over" in a sentence?

You can use "gloss over" to describe someone avoiding details: "The report "glossed over" the financial difficulties the company was facing."

What are some alternatives to "gloss over"?

Alternatives include phrases like "skim over", "brush aside", or "downplay", which all suggest a lack of thorough attention to detail.

Is it appropriate to use "gloss over" in formal writing?

While "gloss over" is widely understood, its informal tone makes it more suitable for general writing than for formal or academic contexts, where more neutral terms like "summarize briefly" might be preferable.

What's the difference between "gloss over" and "summarize"?

"Gloss over" implies a deliberate avoidance of details, often with negative connotations, whereas "summarize" simply means to condense information in a neutral way. You can "summarize" a long document, but you "gloss over" uncomfortable truths.