cover-up
UK: ˈkʌvər ʌp | US: ˈkʌvər ʌp
n. an attempt to prevent the public from discovering the truth about a mistake, crime, or scandal
n. (literal) an act of concealing something by covering it
The term "cover-up" emerged in the early 20th century, combining "cover" (from Old French covrir, meaning "to hide or protect") and the adverbial particle "up" (emphasizing completeness). Originally literal (e.g., covering an object), it evolved metaphorically to describe concealing information, notably gaining prominence during political scandals like Watergate. The hyphenated form reflects its phrasal verb origin.
The government was accused of a massive cover-up to hide evidence of corruption.
She wore a thick scarf as a cover-up for her sunburn.
The CEO resigned after the financial cover-up was exposed.
Journalists uncovered a systematic cover-up of safety violations.
His clumsy lies only deepened the suspicion of a cover-up.