cover up: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  Generalneutral
  • To conceal, hide, or attempt to conceal evidence, facts, or information so that wrongdoing, mistakes, or embarrassing details are not discovered.
  • To suppress information or distort the truth in order to prevent investigation or public knowledge.

  Examples

  Beta

  • The company tried to cover up the environmental damage caused by their factory to avoid bad publicity.

    La empresa intentó encubrir el daño ambiental causado por su fábrica para evitar mala publicidad.

  • After the accident, the officials were accused of attempting to cover up the true cause of the crash.

    Después del accidente, se acusó a los funcionarios de intentar encubrir la verdadera causa del choque.

  • She covered up the mistake in the report by altering the data before submitting it.

    Ella encubrió el error en el informe alterando los datos antes de enviarlo.

• 2.

  Generalinformal
  • To protect or excuse someone by making false statements, providing an alibi, or otherwise obscuring their involvement or culpability ('cover up for someone').

  Examples

  Beta

  • John covered up for his colleague by providing an alibi when the boss questioned the missing files.

    John cubrió a su colega proporcionando una coartada cuando el jefe preguntó por los archivos desaparecidos.

  • They were caught trying to cover up for the employee who had stolen company resources.

    Fueron atrapados intentando encubrir al empleado que había robado recursos de la empresa.

  • Whenever she makes a mistake, her friends cover up for her so she doesn’t get into trouble.

    Cada vez que comete un error, sus amigos la cubren para que no se meta en problemas.

• 3.

  Generalneutral
  • To place something over another thing in order to hide, protect, or complete it physically, for example by closing or covering an opening or object.

  Examples

  Beta

  • He quickly covered up the hole in the wall with a painting to hide the damage from the landlord.

    Rápidamente cubrió el agujero en la pared con una pintura para ocultar el daño al casero.

  • The workers covered up the broken window with a tarp until it could be properly fixed.

    Los trabajadores cubrieron la ventana rota con una lona hasta que pudiera ser reparada adecuadamente.

  • To protect the delicate machinery, they covered it up with a thick cloth every night.

    Para proteger la maquinaria delicada, la cubrían con un paño grueso cada noche.

• 4.

  Generalneutralinformal
  • To conceal part of the body by wearing clothing, applying makeup, or using other means of disguise so as not to be recognized or to hide features.

  Examples

  Beta

  • She covered up with a scarf and hat before going outside in the freezing wind.

    Se cubrió con una bufanda y un sombrero antes de salir al viento helado.

  • He tried to cover up the tattoo on his arm with makeup for the formal event.

    Intentó cubrirse el tatuaje en el brazo con maquillaje para el evento formal.

  • At the costume party, everyone covered up in elaborate masks and cloaks to hide their identities.

    En la fiesta de disfraces, todos se cubrieron con máscaras elaboradas y capas para ocultar sus identidades.

  • If you want to avoid sunburn, make sure to cover up with long sleeves and a wide-brimmed hat.

    Si quieres evitar quemaduras solares, asegúrate de cubrirte con mangas largas y un sombrero de ala ancha.