cover up

1. verb To place a covering on someone, something, or oneself, as for protection. A noun or pronoun can be used between "cover" and "up." Let me just cover up these leftovers so you can take them with you. I'm so fair-skinned that I have to cover myself up before spending time in the sun. A: "Mom, I can barely move!" B: "I have to cover you up—it's freezing outside!"

2. verb To clothe oneself. I'll answer the door in a moment, I just need to cover up first. Would you let me at least cover up with a robe before you come storming in here? Sheesh! My boyfriend and I didn't have time to cover up before my parents burst into my bedroom, so that was mortifying.

3. verb To conceal the evidence of one's (usually nefarious) actions. A noun or pronoun can be used between "cover" and "up." I just know that the CEO is covering something up—why else would those documents suddenly go missing? The administration is clearly trying to cover up the scandal. After the train derailment, I knew I had to cover up the fact that I had signed off on eliminating those safety regulations.

4. noun The act of concealing the evidence of nefarious actions. When used as a noun, the phrase is typically hyphenated or written as one word. Their cover-up unraveled when the CEO's secretary confessed to his wrongdoing. The administration is clearly engaging in a coverup to hide the scandal. Whoa, those investigative journalists really exposed a massive coverup in the medical community. Faked results, placebo pills—it's quite damning.

5. noun An article of clothing worn over other clothing, such as a bathing suit. When used as a noun, the phrase is typically hyphenated. Once it got breezy on the beach, I put my cover-up back on. It's always cooler down by the water, so make sure to bring a cover-up with you. Thank goodness I still had my coverup on when I dozed off on the beach—otherwise, my sunburn would be even worse!

cover-up

n. an act of concealing something. The candidate accused her opponent of a cover-up.

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References in periodicals archive

TEPCO on Friday revealed eight more cases of cover-ups of damage at nuclear power plants on top of the 29 it had earlier reported.

TEPCO inspects reactor after scandal

The recent revelations of the cover-ups at TEPCO, Japan's largest power utility, forced five of its top management, including the president and chairman, to announce earlier this month that they will resign.

TEPCO to punish 10 execs over nuke reactor damage cover-ups

AS the saying goes, you get famous cover-ups and successful coverups - but no famous successful cover-ups.

Keith Allen: i want truth

Breach of Trust was designed to increase awareness of sexual abuse and to "promote actions that will purge this evil from society and the Church." But, to all appearances, church officials in Cornwall behaved as though these documents had never existed, and as though similar cover-ups had not brought great discredit on the Church in the past.

What is going on in Cornwall?

So, if he is against secrecy about cover-ups, on Monday morning, we would be seeing those archives and criminal evidence released."

Pope vows to fight evil of abuse, but victims disappointed

But a cover-up is as much part of the beach/pool wardrobe as the bikini or swimsuit itself, and in fact many are sold as part of a set or designed to work together with links in colour, fabric type or embellishment, in order to create a fully co-ordinating holiday wardrobe.

Time for sense and sensitivity

In response to Mitsubishi Motors' defect cover-ups, the ministry decided Friday to launch a task force for improvement of the vehicle recall system.

Court to fine Mitsubishi Motors for covering up truck defects

The officials will also hear explanations on steps to prevent falsification and cover-ups, they said.

Fukui Pref. authorities begin checking reactor checks

The report draws on documented cases of abuse and deliberate cover-ups by church officials.

Clergy Sexual Abuse: Out of the Shadows--a Shadow Report on the Holy See and the Rights of the Child

But I have seen too many cover-ups, lies, double dealing, hypocrisy, weasel words, inhumanity and political chicanery over this scandal to get too excited.

Stotty on Sunday: Good for nothing

You might say Kenneth Johnson has a philosophy that's in step with this era of alleged UFO cover-ups, White House prosecutor Kenneth Starr and X-Files paranoia: trust no one.

Private screening: crunching the numbers for profit

FRESH claims of Sinn Fein sex abuse cover-ups emerged yesterday, prompting further calls for the Government to set up a Commission of Inquiry.

'provo child abusers killed warder'

As well as pretty summer dresses and bright cover-ups for women, the ranges'highlights include lightweight linen shirts and casual shorts in neutral shades for men.

What's next for summer? SUPERMODEL ALESSANDRA AMBROSI0 ROMPS IN THE BRAZILIAN SUN WITH BRITISH HUNK IN CLOTHING GIANT'S NEW TV AD The heat is on with sexy bikinis and cool casuals

There's also a whole host of tasty cover-ups for those who don't want to put their sun-shy bikini bodies in full view, gorgeous sunglasses for a touch of mystique, flip flops, jewellery and sun hats guaranteed to make you dazzle by the poolside.

Matalan Beachwear

We are sick to death of hypocrisy and lies and cover-ups from New Labour, who treat the public with disdain.

Vent your spleen