cover up
cover up phrasal verb (see also cover)
1. cover something ↔ up to put something over something else so that it cannot be seen:
Her legs were so swollen she had to cover them up.
2. cover something ↔ up to prevent people from discovering mistakes or unpleasant facts ⇨ whitewash:
The affair was covered up and never reached the papers.
Mum’s worried, but she covers it up by joking. ⇨ cover-up
3. cover up for somebody to protect someone by hiding unpleasant facts about them:
They covered up for Kirk by refusing to answer any questions.
4. to put clothes, blankets etc over yourself in order to protect or hide your body, or to keep yourself warm:
Cover up, or stay out of the sun.
cover yourself up
Hastily, she covered herself up with the towel.
cover up phrasal verb (see also cover)
1. cover something ↔ up to put something over something else so that it cannot be seen:
2. cover something ↔ up to prevent people from discovering mistakes or unpleasant facts ⇨ whitewash:
3. cover up for somebody to protect someone by hiding unpleasant facts about them:
4. to put clothes, blankets etc over yourself in order to protect or hide your body, or to keep yourself warm:
cover yourself up