cover up
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle up
Meanings
Hide something by placing a covering over it
Why “up”? A cover goes up over something. It hides it from view or protects it from notice.
“She covered up the painting with a sheet.”
“He covered up the stain with a rug.”
Conceal a mistake, crime or wrongdoing from others
“The company tried to cover up the fraud.”
“Officials covered up the data breach for months.”
Do someone else's job temporarily while they are away
Why “up”? Something is held up for a while. A host can support a guest, or you can carry a burden.
“Can you cover up for me on Friday?”
“I'll cover up your shift if you cover mine next week.”
Don't confuse with
Cover up means hide something by placing a covering over it. Cover over means place something on top to hide or protect.
Test yourself
“She covered up the painting with a sheet.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
cover over
A contrast learners often mix up
Place something on top to hide or protect
back up
Same up pattern: support
Make a digital copy of data as a safeguard; Support someone's claim, story or position; Move backward along the same path; (of traffic or water) accumulate because flow is blocked
bottle up
Same up pattern: hiding
Hide strong feelings inside
hush up
Same up pattern: hiding
Keep wrongdoing or bad news secret
put up
Same up pattern: support
Raise or lift; Provide accommodation; Tolerate (put up with); Erect or construct; Display a notice, poster or sign in a public place; Increase a price, rate or value
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