PhrasesHub

sweeping them under the rug

    Definitions

      • attempting to conceal or ignore something
        Avoid dealing with or addressing a problem or issue by hiding it from others or pretending it doesn't exist

      • trying to minimize the importance of something
        Downplay or diminish the significance of a situation or problem in order to make it seem less serious or damaging

    Examples of sweeping them under the rug

    • The police department has been accused of covering up several incidents of police brutality. To avoid further scrutiny, they have been sweeping these allegations under the rug by refusing to investigate them thoroughly or take any disciplinary action against the officers involved.

      This idiom refers to the act of hiding or concealing something unpleasant or uncomfortable rather than dealing with it openly and honestly. The origin of the phrase is debated, but it is thought to come from the practice of sweeping dirt or other debris under a rug to conceal it from view. When applied to a situation involving criticism or wrongdoing, sweeping it under the rug means attempting to ignore or minimize the issue instead of addressing and resolving it. It implies a lack of transparency or accountability, as well as a desire to protect one's own reputation or authority at the expense of truth and justice.

    • The school administration tried to sweep the cheating scandal under the rug by ignoring it and failing to discipline the students involved.

      This means that the school administration attempted to hide or conceal the cheating scandal by not addressing it openly and allowing the students who cheated to avoid punishment. It implies a deliberate attempt to cover up the issue instead of dealing with it honestly and effectively.

    • In order to save face, the politician swept the controversy over his financial misdeeds under the rug by claiming ignorance and refusing to provide any further information.

      This means that the politician tried to avoid embarrassment or criticism by pretending not to know about the controversy and refusing to provide any details that could shed light on the matter. It suggests a lack of transparency and accountability on the part of the politician, who would rather hide the truth than address it openly.

    • The victim's family was desperate to sweep the crime under the rug in order to avoid drawing attention to themselves and their personal lives.

      This means that the family of the victim tried to minimize the impact of the crime by pretending it didn't exist or by downplaying its significance. It implies a desire to avoid scrutiny or negative publicity, even at the cost of failing to bring the perpetrator to justice.

    • The CEO of the company tried to sweep the company's financial problems under the rug by presenting a rosy picture of the company's health to the shareholders.

      This means that the CEO attempted to conceal the financial difficulties of the company by painting a false and optimistic picture of its performance. It suggests a lack of candor or honesty on the part of the CEO and implies that the company's financial problems may be more serious than they appear.

    • The local authorities have been accused of sweeping the issue of water pollution under the rug. They seem to be ignoring the seriousness of the problem and are not taking any concrete steps to address it.

      The idiom "sweeping something under the rug" is used to describe the act of hiding or concealing a problem or an issue instead of addressing it directly. In this example, it implies that the authorities are deliberately avoiding the topic of water pollution, possibly because it is not a priority for them, or perhaps because they do not want to deal with the negative consequences and criticism that may come with taking action.

    • My grandmother used to sweep the dirt under the rug whenever my parents came over. She didn't want them to see how messy the house was.

      In this example, the idiom "sweeping something under the rug" is being used in a more literal sense to describe the act of trying to hide dirt or messiness by literally pushing it under a rug. Although this use is less common nowadays, it still illustrates the idea of hiding something rather than dealing with it directly.

    • The financial institution has been accused of sweeping the allegations of fraud under the rug. They have failed to investigate the claims thoroughly and have not taken any action against the accused parties.

      In this example, the idiom "sweeping something under the rug" is used metaphorically to describe the act of ignoring or brushing aside accusations of wrongdoing without proper investigation or resolution. It suggests that the institution is choosing to avoid dealing with the issue directly, potentially because it could lead to negative consequences for them.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "sweeping them under the rug" is often used to describe the act of trying to hide or ignore something, whether it's a problem, an issue, or a mistake. It can also be used to convey the idea of minimizing the importance of something in order to make it seem less serious. In both cases, the intention is to avoid dealing with or addressing the issue at hand.

    The idiom is commonly used in everyday language to emphasize the negative consequences of trying to conceal or minimize problems. It serves as a cautionary reminder that ignoring or downplaying issues does not make them go away, and that it's important to confront and address problems directly.

    Origin of "sweeping them under the rug"

    The origin of the idiom "sweeping them under the rug" can be traced back to the literal act of sweeping dirt or debris under a rug in order to hide it from view. This action serves as a visual metaphor for the concept of trying to conceal or ignore something, as the rug effectively covers up the mess underneath.

    The idiom likely originated from this practical act of hiding dirt or debris, and has since evolved to represent the broader idea of attempting to conceal or minimize problems. It has become a common and widely understood expression in the English language, used to convey the negative implications of ignoring or downplaying important issues.