cover (redirected from covers ass)

blow someone's cover

to let people know secret information about who someone is or what someone is doing. Someone recognised him and phoned the newspapers, which blew his cover.

See also: blow

cover all the bases (American & Australian, American)

to deal with every part of a situation or activity. It's a pretty full report. I think we've covered all the bases.

See also: all

cover your back (British, American & Australian, American & Australian, very informal!)

to make sure that you cannot be blamed or criticized later for something you have done. The race organizers cover their backs by saying they can't take responsibility for any injuries. I'm gonna cover my ass and get written permission before I go.

See also: back

cover the waterfront (American)

to talk about every part of a subject, or to deal with every part of a job. It was a mistake to try and cover the waterfront in her talk - one or two points would have been enough. It's obvious one salesman can't cover the waterfront. We'll need a whole team for this area.

cover your tracks

to hide or destroy the things that show where you have been or what you have been doing. Roberts covered his tracks by throwing the knife in the river and burying his wife's body.

See also: track

cover/hide a multitude of sins (humorous)

if something hides a multitude of sins, it prevents people from seeing or discovering something bad. Big sweaters are warm and practical and they hide a multitude of sins.

See also: hide, multitude, sin

You can't judge a book by its cover.

something that you say which means you cannot judge the quality or character of someone or something just by looking at them. She doesn't look very intelligent, but you can't judge a book by its cover.

See also: book, can't, judge

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blow someone's cover

to make secret information about someone known. Herman had been a spy for 20 years before someone blew his cover.

See also: blow

cover a multitude of sins

hide a multitude of sins

See also: multitude, sin

cover all the bases

to deal with every possibility. Those movie awards cover all the bases — best villain, best fight, best kiss, best everything.

See also: all

cover your ass

to make sure that you cannot be blamed or criticized later for something. The police were more interested in covering their asses than in finding the killer.

See also: ass

cover ground

to examine subjects or discuss ideas. Much of the book covers ground that will be familiar to Unix programmers.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of cover ground (= to move across an area)

See also: ground

cover the waterfront

to deal with all parts of a subject or area of interest, not omitting anything. The FBI cannot expect a handful of agents to cover the waterfront in investigating terrorism.

cover your tracks

to hide or destroy anything that shows where you have been or what you have been doing. Roberts covered his tracks by throwing the knife in the river and burying his wife's body miles from his home.

See also: track

cover up something

to keep something secret or hidden. Others accused her of covering up her financial dealings. I was amazed that the building contractors we hired tried to cover up the problems they had.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of cover up (= to put a cloth or other object over someone or something)

not judge a book by its cover

to not be able to really know about someone or something by simply looking at them. She doesn't look very bright, but you can't judge a book by its cover.

See also: book, judge

read something (from) cover to cover

to read something from the beginning to the end.. The newspaper comes before breakfast and my husband reads it cover to cover while he's eating.

See also: read