cover
Put something over for protection or concealment
To put something on or over something to keep it safe or hidden.
to cover [something] with [something]
- She covered the cake with a glass lid.
- Please cover the plants before the frost comes.
- He covered the hole with a piece of cardboard.
- I cover my food with a plate.
- Please cover the box with paper.
- She covers her head with a hat.
Deal with or report on a topic or event
To talk about, write about, or show information about something.
to cover [a topic/event/area]
- The journalist will cover the election.
- The course covers basic grammar and vocabulary.
- This insurance policy covers accidental damage.
- The teacher covers many topics in class.
- The news covers the big game.
- This book covers the history of the city.
Something placed over for protection or concealment
Something you put over something to keep it safe, hidden, or nice-looking.
- The sofa had a protective cover.
- I bought a new cover for my phone.
- The pot's cover was missing.
- I put a cover on my bed.
- My phone has a red cover.
- The book has a blue cover.
Travel over a distance or area
To go across or reach an area or space.
to cover [distance/area]
- We covered 200 kilometers in one day.
- The tour will cover five cities.
- The carpet covers the entire floor.
- We covered 5 miles today.
- The snow covers the ground.
- The bus covers this route every day.
Pay for the cost of something
To give money to pay for something.
to cover [the cost/expenses/bill]
- I'll cover the check this time.
- The grant will cover tuition fees.
- Can you cover my expenses for the trip?
- I will cover your lunch today.
- The company covers travel costs.
- She covered the bill at dinner.
Stand in for someone temporarily
To do someone's work when they are not there.
to cover for [someone]
- Can you cover for me while I’m at lunch?
- She covered his shift last night.
- I’ll cover for you during your vacation.
- I will cover for you when you are sick.
- She covered my class yesterday.
- He covers for me when I am away.
- Base: cover
- Plural: cover, covers
- Base: cover
- 3rd Person Singular: covers
- Present Participle: covering
- Past: covered
cover all bases
1Prepare for all possibilities or outcomes
To be ready for every possible problem or situation.
- We need to cover all bases before launching the product.
- She covered all bases by checking every detail.
cover one's tracks
1Hide evidence of actions done
To hide signs of what you did so no one knows.
- He covered his tracks by deleting the files.
- They covered their tracks after the theft.
cover up
1Hide wrongdoing from being known
To hide the truth about something bad that happened.
- They tried to cover up the scandal.
- He covered up his mistake at work.
take cover
1Find shelter from danger or attack
To move to a safe place because there is danger nearby.
- We took cover when the shooting started.
- Take cover! There's a storm coming.
under cover
1Disguised identity for secret work
Working secretly so people do not know who you really are.
- The agent was working under cover for two years.
- He went under cover to catch the criminals.