under the cover of

USAGE SUMMARY

"under the cover of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that something is done or takes place while being hidden, masked, or disguised by another activity or thing. For example, "The thief ran away under the cover of darkness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Under the cover of darkness they came.

The Guardian - Music

Buy them under the cover of darkness.

The New Yorker

Under the cover of darkness it is, then.

The Guardian - Tech

Nowadays it is performed under the cover of night.

The New York Times

"But under the cover of diagnostic processes, they perform it.

The New York Times

It wasn't done under the cover of humor, or irony.

The New York Times - Arts

He did not even hide under the cover of night.

The New York Times

Companies operating under the cover of a hide-and-seek corporate structure must be held accountable.

The New York Times

The Zombies' album now sounds like a professional affair under the cover of complexity.

The New York Times - Arts

The army moved some fifty vehicles into the city under the cover of heavy shelling.

The Guardian

Under the cover of the pernicious austerity agenda our society is being disfigured.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "under the cover of" to add a sense of secrecy or concealment to your writing. It's particularly effective when describing actions taken discreetly or illicitly.

Common error

Avoid using "under the cover of" when you simply mean "protected by". The phrase implies more than just protection; it suggests an attempt to hide actions or intentions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under the cover of" functions as a prepositional phrase, often introducing adverbial clauses that modify verbs by specifying the circumstances or conditions under which an action occurs. It suggests a state of concealment or disguise, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "under the cover of" is a prepositional phrase used to describe actions or events happening secretly or discreetly. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It's frequently found in news and media, as well as across various other sources. When using the phrase, ensure that it accurately conveys the sense of concealment or disguise you intend. While alternatives exist, each carries slightly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under the guise of

Indicates a deceptive appearance or pretext, implying a more deliberate attempt to conceal the true nature of something.

veiled by

Suggests something is obscured or hidden, but not necessarily with deceptive intent.

hidden behind

Directly implies physical or metaphorical concealment.

masked by

Highlights the act of disguising something to prevent it from being seen or recognized.

cloaked in

Suggests that something is enveloped or concealed, often adding a sense of mystery or intrigue.

screened by

Implies that something is protected or shielded from view, potentially for privacy or security.

disguised as

Emphasizes the act of deliberately altering the appearance of something to deceive.

obscured by

Suggests that something is difficult to see or understand due to a lack of clarity.

concealed by

Formally indicates hidden or kept secret, differing in tone from the original.

sheltered by

Conveys a sense of protection or safety, where something is shielded from harm.

FAQs

How can I use "under the cover of" in a sentence?

You can use "under the cover of" to describe actions done secretly or while being concealed, like "They escaped "under the cover of darkness"" or "The company conducted its research "under the cover of a subsidiary"".

What's a good alternative to "under the cover of"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "under the guise of", "hidden behind", or "masked by". Each alternative has a slightly different nuance.

Is it correct to say "under the covers of" instead of "under the cover of"?

No, the correct phrase is "under the cover of". Using "covers" would generally refer to physical bed coverings and wouldn't convey the intended meaning of secrecy or concealment.

Can "under the cover of" be used in a positive context?

While often used in contexts involving secrecy or potentially negative actions, "under the cover of" can also be used in neutral or even positive contexts where discretion or protection is key. For example, "The project was developed "under the cover of strict confidentiality"".