Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
sweep something under the carpet
idiom
/swiːp ˈsʌmθɪŋ ˈʌndər ðə ˈkɑːrpɪt/
Definition
To hide or ignore something unpleasant or undesirable instead of dealing with it directly.
Examples
- The manager decided to sweep the budget cuts under the carpet, hoping the employees wouldn’t notice.
- It’s not healthy to sweep your problems under the carpet; it’s better to face them head-on.
- She swept the conflict under the carpet, leading to bigger issues later on.
Meaning
This phrase implies concealing a problem or issue rather than addressing it, often to maintain a false sense of normalcy or to avoid confrontation.
Synonyms
- ignore
- conceal
- shut out
- overlook
