cover-up
(ˈkʌvərʌp)
[f. to cover up (see cover v.1 22).]
An act of covering up (in various senses: see cover v.1 22); spec. assistance given to a wrongdoer in escaping detection; = cover n.1 3 d; also, a high-necked garment, a cover-all.
| 1927 M. A. Noble Those ‘Ashes’ 192 Hardinge has a good defence and cover-up. 1935 R. Chandler in Black Mask Jan. 31/2, I don't have to tell you how a police department looks at that kind of a cover-up on a murder. 1940 M. Allingham Black Plumes ii. 11 It was a bad cover up and very obvious. 1958 Spectator 27 June 836/2 The slogan ‘personal service’ is often a cover-up for very indifferent attention indeed. 1960 Sunday Express 27 Nov. 14 This fluffy bed jacket..is a complete cover-up for cold weather. 1961 Ibid. 2 Apr. 14 Thickknit cover-up, full-fashioned in..zig-zag rib. 1963 New Yorker 1 June 103 This cover-up flowers in a burst of colorful island foliage. |
Hence attrib. or as quasi-adj., that covers up or conceals. orig. U.S.
| 1942 Berrey & Van den Bark Amer. Thes. Slang §461/12 Cover-up man.., a pickpocket's confederate. 1960 V. Wimperis Unmarried Mother xvi. 343 Contraception, abortion and ‘cover-up’ marriages all affect the number of children born illegitimate. 1960 Vogue Pattern Bk. Early autumn 42 Party dress and cover-up bolero. 1970 Harrods Catal. 16/1 Exclusive cover-up rig in cotton velour. Top has shoe-lace fastening, pants elasticated at waist. |