multitude

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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.

hide a multitude of sins

To conceal things that are unattractive or problematic. I need to wear a girdle to hide a multitude of sins. New drywall will hide a multitude of sins in the kitchen.

multitude of sins

Fig. many kinds of sins or errors. The term offensive covers a multitude of sins.

multitude of sins, cover a

Compensate for numerous evils, as in You may not be offering to help with the fair, but that big donation covers a multitude of sins . This expression originated in the New Testament (I Peter 4:8): "And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins."

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 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/hide a ˌmultitude of ˈsins

(often humorous) used to say that something is not as good as it looks, sounds, etc: The term ‘abstract art’ covers a multitude of sins. ♢ A coat of paint can hide a multitude of sins.This expression comes from the Bible. A multitude is a very large number of things.

See also: cover, hide, multitude, of, sin

References in classic literature ?

The contemplation of the multitudes thronging the pavements extinguished his assurance under a load of doubt and uneasiness which he could only shake off after a period of seclusion in the room with the large cupboard closed by an enormous padlock.

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But no sooner had the knights resumed their station, than the clamour of applause was hushed into a silence, so deep and so dead, that it seemed the multitude were afraid even to breathe.

View in context

He followed the crowd, which drew nigh the lodges, gloomy and sullen, like any other multitude that had been disappointed in an execution.

Instead of mingling with his tribe, however, he sat apart, a solitary being in a multitude, his form shrinking into a crouching and abject attitude, as if anxious to fill as little space as possible.

View in context

Overnight a multitude (and I am not exaggerating when I say multitude) have I intend to open a shop and call it Morrie and Son's and the logo would be M&S, the name reflects my Jewish heritage, what can possibly go wrong?

Time to get tough on the travellers

We move through life haunted by a multitude of people and places that exist only in memory, by ancestors we never knew, and by myths we're not sure we can believe.

The Multitude

The poem, titled "The Multitude," was paired with a woodcut by the local artist Michael Opalko and ran, advertisement-style, on posters adorning the sidewall panels of the buses.

The Multitude: a poster poem

Her creations have won the designer a multitude of awards, which isn't surprising when you see just a small selection of them below.

Carol Kennelly and her hats are a winning combination.

Covering a multitude of sins and perfect with a skinny jean, this is one of our fave spring styles.

TAKE SHINE TO SUMMER STYLE

The new technology attributes the much heralded iDoor Technology, a faster low power processor and a multitude of IO ports.

Taiwan Province of China : ADVANTECH introduces IP65 certified 15 TPC-1582H touch panel computer

The studded jelly shoes, come in a multitude of colourways, see below, and are a holiday wardrobe winner, priced PS44, from holsteraustralia.

fashion news fashion news fashion news fashion news

As I watched in admiration it brought to mind another multitude of people of about the same number.

Doubly moved by GNR bridge scene; Views of the North

Moreover, a mixed multitude went up with them, and very much livestock, both flocks and herds (Ex.

The mixed multitude according to the Zohar

When a multitude of people hold these beliefs we consider them "religious".

Kate Middleton, rational belief, and the nature of our royalty; viewpoint

He allows only that he saw in his vision "a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, [standing] before the throne, and before the Lamb .