What are the definitions of “cover up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Conceal, try to stop people finding out.
They tried to COVER UP the incident but it got into the newspapers.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “cover up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb cover up is to hide or conceal something, usually to prevent people from discovering the truth or finding out about a mistake or wrongdoing. For example, it can mean hiding a scandal, concealing a crime, or keeping a secret.
What are the different verb forms of “cover up”?
| Root Verb | cover up |
| Third Person Singular Present | covers up |
| Present Participle | covering up |
| Simple Past | covered up |
| Past Participle | covered up |
Example
The company tried to cover up the accident to avoid bad publicity.
Example
He always covers up his mistakes instead of admitting them.
Example
The politician is covering up the scandal to protect his reputation.
Example
They covered up the evidence to avoid getting caught.
Example
The truth had been covered up for years before it was finally revealed.
What kind of phrasal verb is “cover up”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“cover up” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She covered up the stain on the carpet with a rug.
Example
The government covered the scandal up to avoid public outrage.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“cover up” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She covered up the stain on the carpet with a rug.
Example
The government covered the scandal up to avoid public outrage.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “cover up”?
Cover up (noun)
An attempt to prevent people from discovering the truth about a serious mistake or crime.
Example
The investigation revealed a massive cover-up involving several high-ranking officials.
Cover up (clothing)
A piece of clothing worn to cover and protect the body, often used at the beach or pool.
Example
She wore a light cover-up over her swimsuit while walking to the beach.
Cover up (makeup)
A cosmetic product used to conceal blemishes, scars, or other imperfections on the skin.
Example
She used cover-up to hide the dark circles under her eyes.
Good things to know
Does “cover up” have an informal or formal tone?
Cover up is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations, news reports, and official investigations. The tone of the phrase depends on the specific context in which it is used.
