under the covers
1
6.7
- idiom
- Jargon
:
entre bastidores
- The pundits tried to push the corruption scandal under the covers in 2006 too.
Examples
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However, a peek under the covers shows mountains of debt and fiat principles at play.
Blog text (23) -
When you look under the covers, you find exaggerations, half-truths, and red herrings.
Blog text (23) -
So today we're going to take a little bit closer look at at what's happening under the covers when you compile AC program.
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Don't forget that under the covers, population is still increasing; many of the world's economies are still actually growing, and the world probably still experienced overall growth this year.
Blog text (23) -
Many businesses operate under the covers, managing their finances away from public scrutiny.
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The new software updates are developed under the covers to improve user experience without disruptions.
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Investigative journalists often uncover stories that were kept under the covers by powerful organizations.
Synonyms
261
1.4
In a way that other people do not know
243
6.3
Working secretly to get information about people and groups
153
5.7
Hidden and done secretly to avoid being found by authorities
125
1.1
A thing that is not easily seen or found
117
6.8
Done secretly to avoid being seen or known
117
4.9
In a private way, away from the public view
112
4.1
In private and not open to the public
56
2.5
In a way other people do not know
34
5.2
People do not notice it because someone keeps it quiet
33
4.3
Happening in private and away from public view
28
6.0
Most people do not know about it
15
4.2
A private meeting or place that people keep secret
13
7.5
People keep it secret from most others to avoid being noticed
9
4.2
Under something so it is covered and cannot be seen
9
7.5
Done secretly to hide payments and avoid the law
7
8.5
Done secretly because people would disapprove
5
3.7
Hidden so people cannot see it
4
6.8
Hidden so people cannot see the true purpose or meaning
4
7.7
Hidden and hard to understand because it is secret
3
7.9
To keep something secret or ignore it instead of dealing with it
1
7.5
People in power keep it secret to hide a problem
Kept secret and not told to other people
Antonyms
How Hidden
- Jargon
1
6.7
- Specialized
25
4.7
117
4.9
339
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The figurative meaning 'hidden from view / operating behind the scenes' is directly derivable from combining 'under' (beneath) with 'cover' (something that conceals). This spatial-to-metaphorical composition is common cross-linguistically and follows an obvious logic, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words would likely infer the intended meaning.
Etymology
Under the covers gives the image of actions happening beneath a blanket where you cannot see them. One popular image is machines or people working under the covers, so the phrase now means 'hidden from view' or 'behind the scenes'.