Phrase guide

sweep something under the rug

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To conceal a problem (usually an embarrassing or illegal one) expediently, rather than remedy it thoroughly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Near-synonyms: cover (sth.) up, draw a veil over (sth.)

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: brush something under the rug, brush something under the carpet, sweep something under the carpet, cover up, draw a veil over

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

20 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Armenian: ծածկադմփոց անել (cackadmpʻocʻ anel) — to conceal a problem expediently
  • Chinese Mandarin: 掩蓋某事 /掩盖某事 (yǎngài mǒushì) — to conceal a problem expediently
  • Chinese Mandarin: 隱瞞某事 /隐瞒某事 (yǐnmán mǒushì) — to conceal a problem expediently
  • Czech: zamést pod koberec — to conceal a problem expediently
  • Dutch: iets onder het tapijt vegen — to conceal a problem expediently
  • Finnish: lakaista maton alle — to conceal a problem expediently
  • French: cacher la poussière sous le tapis — to conceal a problem expediently
  • French: mettre sous le tapis — to conceal a problem expediently
  • German: unter den Teppich kehren — to conceal a problem expediently
  • Hungarian: a szőnyeg alá söpör — to conceal a problem expediently
  • Indonesian: menyimpan jarum patah dalam peti — to conceal a problem expediently
  • Japanese: 猫糞する (nekobaba suru) — to conceal a problem expediently
  • Polish: zamiatać pod dywan — to conceal a problem expediently
  • Polish: zamieść pod dywan — to conceal a problem expediently
  • Portuguese: varrer para debaixo do tapete — to conceal a problem expediently
  • Russian: замести́ под ко́врик (zamestí pod kóvrik) — to conceal a problem expediently
  • Serbo-Croatian: гурнути под тепих — to conceal a problem expediently
  • Spanish: esconder los trapos sucios — to conceal a problem expediently
  • Spanish: engavetar — to conceal a problem expediently
  • Swedish: sopa något under mattan — to conceal a problem expediently