cover (one's) butt

slang To act in order to avoid blame or responsibility for something or prevent oneself from experiencing negative consequences. I immediately covered my butt by saying that I wasn't home when the puppy got out. Politicians don't care about the promises they make, they just want to cover their butts so that more people vote for them. Look, we all need to be ready to cover our butts if we get busted by the feds, got it?

cover (one's) feet

A Biblical euphemism for defecation. (While positioned in that act, one's robe would cover one's feet.) A: "Where is Joe?" B: "Oh, he's in the restroom, probably covering his feet, if you know what I mean." Honey, this is all normal. While potty training, it often takes kids longer to start to cover their feet. A: "If you'll excuse me for a minute, I just need to go cover my feet." B: "What does that even mean?" C: "No idea. Oh, he's heading for the bathroom, so it has something to do with that."

cover (one's) hide

To act in order to avoid or prevent oneself from incurring blame, responsibility, or negative consequences. I immediately covered my hide by saying that I wasn't home when the puppy got out. Politicians don't care about the outcome of the vote, they just care about covering their hides. Look, we all need to be ready to cover our hides if we get busted by the feds, got it?

cover (one's) tracks (up)

1. Literally, to conceal one's footprints, typically to avoid being followed. Those hounds can track us across rivers, so covering our tracks won't do any good. I'm skeptical that these footprints were made by the suspect. Think about it—wouldn't you make some effort to cover your tracks up if you broke the law? Cover your tracks, man! You know this is the first place the authorities are gonna look for us!

2. To conceal the evidence of one's (usually nefarious) actions. We need to cover our tracks before someone traces the bank robbery back to us. I destroyed those incriminating documents to cover my tracks up. I paid a guy to corroborate my alibi. I had to cover my tracks somehow!

cover (oneself) in glory

To perform very well or successfully. I don't understand why they made that guy CEO. He didn't exactly cover himself in glory when he was running the legal department. If the team's star players cover themselves in glory, there's a chance they might win this game. If you cover yourself in glory doing the human interest stories, you might just move up at that TV station.

cover (the) ground

1. To move across an area at an acceptable speed. I think we can count on that racehorse to cover the ground. You really think you can get that old junker to cover ground? You'll be lucky to get it up to 20 miles per hour! Yeah, but is that car aerodynamic enough to cover the ground in the soapbox derby?

2. To complete something in a particular manner or review a certain amount of information or discuss a certain number of topics. It is a lot of work, but I'm confident that Bill will cover the ground well. We need to cover a lot of ground in American History before the exam date. Everyone, please settle in because we have to cover quite a bit of ground in this staff meeting.

cover a lot of ground

1. To travel a long distance. The phrase often refers to a portion of a longer journey. Even though we covered a lot of ground on the first day of our road trip, we still have many miles to go. Unfortunately, a bad rainstorm blew in, and we weren't able to cover a lot of ground today. Traffic was surprisingly light, so we were able to cover a lot of ground. I wonder if we could make it to Miami by tomorrow night.

2. To review a large amount of information or discuss many topics. We need to cover a lot of ground in American History before the exam date. Everyone, please settle in because we have to cover a lot of ground in this staff meeting. These are supposed to be short presentations, so we have to cover a lot of ground in not a lot of time.

cover a multitude of sins

To conceal things that are unattractive or problematic. I need to wear a girdle to cover a multitude of sins. New drywall will cover a multitude of sins in the kitchen. I heard that guy's a mob boss, so I bet his charity work is meant to cover a multitude of sins.

cover all bases

To be well-prepared for every possible outcome. We need to cover all bases here—check every office and make sure it's been evacuated. I know I don't have the best grades, so I covered all bases by applying to 15 colleges. We have to be sure to cover all bases before the trial begins so that we aren't surprised by anything the prosecution throws our way.

cover all the bases

To account for or provide a way to address every possible outcome, scenario, contingency, etc. We need to cover all the bases here—the investigation should explore every avenue. I covered all the bases by applying to 15 colleges. I'm worried that undercover cops are sniffing around now, so, to cover all the bases, don't talk to anyone you don't know.

cover for (someone or something)

1. To hide one's wrongdoings from someone else. In this usage, the phrase can also be written as "cover up for." If I sneak out and go to the party tonight, will you cover for me? Just tell Mom I went to bed early or something. I knew Richard was one mishap away from being fired, so I covered for him and told the boss I was the one who set off the alarm. We have evidence that your boyfriend was involved in the crime, so you can stop covering for him, ma'am.

2. To do something in place of someone else. I'm working today because I'm covering for Joanna, who's on vacation. I can't work the late shift on Thursday. Can anyone cover for me? If you're scheduled to work in the Writing Center, you better be here, or you better get someone to cover for you.

3. To provide insurance against a problem or scenario. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "cover" and "for." Does our homeowner's insurance cover the house for flood damage? Your roadside assistance company covers you for flat tires. Call them, they'll come out and help. Of course my health insurance doesn't cover me for this new drug the doctor prescribed.

cover the field

To be thorough and comprehensive in what is presented or dealt with. This thesis will attempt to cover the field of English Law from 1950 to the present. Your final paper is expected to cover the field of Romantic poetry, so you can't limit yourself to just Keats and Wordsworth. If you want an A, you really need to cover the field of Dickens' works. You should spend at least some time on every work we read this semester.

cover the same ground

To discuss or address something that has already been discussed or examined. I don't know why we keep having meetings when all we do is cover the same ground every week. If you want your article to be published, don't write about Jonathan Swift—you'll just cover the same ground as hundreds of other scholars. Why not write about Aphra Behn? Come on, we all know the schedule for tomorrow—quit covering the same ground.

cover the spread

In sports betting, to finish a game within the margin of points predicted by oddsmakers. If the Wildcats cover the spread tonight, Joe, you stand to make a lot of money. You bet on the favorite and they covered the spread? Good for you, making money on your first foray into sports betting! Yeah, but the underdog is scrappy and coming off a big win. I'm not sure that the favorite will cover the spread.

cover the territory

1. To travel to, deal with, or be responsible for a large, specific area. When I was a reporter, I had to cover the territory of the entire northern part of the state. Considering there's only 24 hours in a day, how exactly am I supposed to the cover the territory of this whole area? Here's a map—you two are to cover the territory of the highlighted section.

2. To be thorough and comprehensive in what is presented or dealt with. This thesis will attempt to cover the territory of English Law from 1950 to the present. Your final paper is expected to cover the territory of Romantic poetry, so you can't limit yourself to just Keats and Wordsworth. If you want an A, you really need to cover the territory of Dickens' works. You should spend at least some time on every work we read this semester.

cover the waterfront

To be thorough and comprehensive in what is presented or dealt with. This thesis will attempt to cover the waterfront of English Law from 1950 to the present. Your final paper is expected to cover the waterfront of Romantic poetry, so you can't limit yourself to just Keats and Wordsworth. If you want an A, you really need to cover the waterfront of Dickens' works. You should spend at least some time on every work we read this semester.

See also: cover, waterfront

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!

See also: cover, up

duck and cover

1. To crouch and hide; to take cover. If they start throwing water balloons at us, duck and cover! I can see the enemy troops advancing. Duck and cover! I'm terrified of bees, so I instinctively duck and cover when one buzzes by.

2. To evade something, often a question that one does not want to answer. If you continue to duck and cover at town hall meetings, your constituents' anger will only grow. The accountant called again? All right, we'll have to duck and cover if we want this tax scheme to work. The candidate can duck and cover on this scandal all day long, but the polls show that the people do not approve.

cover a lot of ground

1. Lit. to travel over a great distance; to investigate a wide expanse of land. The prospectors covered a lot of ground, looking for gold. My car can cover a lot of ground in one day.

2. Fig. to deal with much information and many facts. The history lecture covered a lot of ground today.

cover someone or something up

to place something on someone or something for protection or concealment. Cover the pie up, so Terry won't see it. Cover up Jimmy so he doesn't get cold.

See also: cover, up

cover something up

1. Lit. to place some sort of cover on something. Please cover up that mess with a cloth. Cover it up.

2. Fig. to conceal a wrongdoing; to conceal evidence. They tried to cover the crime up, but the single footprint gave them away. She could not cover up her misdeeds.

See also: cover, up

cover the territory

1. Lit. to travel or deal with a specific large area. The sales manager was responsible for all of the eastern states and personally covered the territory twice each year.

2. Fig. to deal with all matters relating to a specific topic. That lecture really covered the territory in only an hour.

cover the waterfront

to deal with every detail concerning a specific topic. Her talk really covered the waterfront. By the time she finished, I knew much more than I wanted to know.

See also: cover, waterfront

duck and cover

1. . Lit. to bend down and seek protection against an attack. When the gunfire started, we had to duck and cover or get killed.

2. Fig. to dodge something, such as an issue or a difficult question, and attempt to shield oneself against similar issues or questions. The candidate's first reaction to the question was to duck and cover. The debaters were ducking and covering throughout the evening.

cover the field

Also, cover the territory or waterfront . Be comprehensive. For example, The review course will cover the field very well, or Bob's new assignment really covers the territory, or The superintendent's speech covered the waterfront on the drug problem. These expressions all employ the verb cover in the sense of "extend over" or "include," a usage dating from the late 1700s, with the nouns ( field, ground, territory, waterfront) each meaning "whole area."

cover up

1. Wrap up or enfold in order to protect. For example, Be sure to cover up the outdoor furniture in case of rain, or It's cold, so be sure to cover up the baby. [Late 1800s]

2. Conceal something, especially a crime, as in The opposition accused the President of covering up his assistant's suicide. [c. 1920]

See also: cover, up

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

cover a lot of ground

If something such as a conversation, a piece of writing or a course covers a lot of ground, it deals with a lot of subjects or a large area of a subject. Chapters 3 and 4 have covered a lot of ground in attempting to explain what marketing is about. The workshops cover a lot of ground in one day, taking for granted that people know how to use their sewing machines.

cover the same ground

go over the same ground

If something such as a conversation, a piece of writing or a course covers the same ground or goes over the same ground, it deals with the same subjects or the same part of a subject that has already been dealt with. As the titles of these two books imply, they cover much the same ground. You continue to think and wonder about it, going over the same ground in your mind, again and again.

cover a multitude of sins

hide a multitude of sins

If something covers a multitude of sins or hides a multitude of sins, it hides a lot of mistakes or things that are unpleasant or unattractive. `Strong, centralized government' is a term that can cover a multitude of sins. Wood is great for hiding a multitude of sins — rough, bumpy walls, pipes, and even wallpaper you can't face stripping. Note: This expression is used humorously.

cover the waterfront

mainly AMERICAN

If you cover the waterfront, you include or deal with a very wide range of things, or every aspect of something. Moving full-time into TV presenting, Tyler has covered the waterfront from current affairs programmes and documentaries to daytime chat shows.

See also: cover, waterfront

cover the waterfront

cover every aspect of something. North American informal

1999 Tony Parsons Man and Boy And I suddenly realised how many father figures Luke has, father figures who seem to cover the waterfront of parental responsibilities.

See also: cover, waterfront

cover a multitude of sins

conceal or gloss over a lot of problems or defects.

This phrase refers to 1 Peter 4:8: ‘For charity shall cover the multitude of sins’.

cover up

1. To spread or extend something over someone or something in order to protect or conceal: We covered up the furniture with a drop cloth before painting the walls. The children covered themselves up with leaves while playing hide and seek.

2. To conceal something, especially wrongdoing or error: The criminal tried to cover up the crime by destroying the evidence. I accidentally overcharged a customer, and my boss told me to cover it up.

3. To put on or wear clothing: My grandmother covers up before going outside to protect herself from the sun.

See also: cover, up

cover the waterfront

To treat, examine, or include a full range of things: a book that covers the waterfront on starting your own business.

See also: cover, waterfront

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

duck and cover

Seek shelter. If you attended elementary or secondary school during the 1950s and '60s, you will remember air raid drills practiced in the anticipation of nuclear attack. At the teacher's command “duck and cover,” you would stop whatever you were doing, drop down under your desk or against a wall, and assuming a fetal position, interlace the fingers of both hands behind your neck in a “covering” pose. How effective the technique would have been would have depended how far away from the atomic or hydrogen bomb blast's heat, shock waves, and radiation the school was. In any event, defense authorities thought everyone should do something in case of a nuclear attack. In those days, schoolkids did what they were told, so they ducked and covered.