draw a veil over
Hide from view
To draw a veil over something is to avoid discussing it or to deliberately obscure it, as a veil conceals what lies beneath: Let's draw a veil over what happened at the party.
The phrase suggests tactful silence about embarrassing or unpleasant matters rather than outright denial.
Conceal or pelt
- obscureUnknown to most
- cover upConceal misdeeds or errors
- maskFace-worn concealment
- shroudBurial cloth or covering
cloak · screen · shield · suppress · bury · blanket · curtain · obfuscate
Sensitivity in speech
- delicacyRefined sensitivity or rarity
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
- sensitivityResponsiveness to stimuli
- restraintControl over impulses
circumspection · decorum · propriety · politeness · consideration · respectfulness · reserve · caution
Make less firm
- downplayDiminish perceived importance
- sugarcoatMake something seem pleasanter
- understateExpress with restraint
- sanitizeCleanse of pathogens
prettify · minimize · tone down · play down · make light of · soft-pedal · cushion · gentle
Cease holding something
- move onAdvance past something
- amnesiaPathological loss of recall
- oblivionComplete erasure from memory
- erasureAct of wiping away
consign to oblivion · water under the bridge · bygones · turn the page · wipe the slate clean · let sleeping dogs lie
Concealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- furtiveSecretive and sly
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
- stealthySecretly cautious in movement
undisclosed · confidential · classified · hush-hush · under the table · behind closed doors · off the record · sub rosa
hide
Conceal or pelt
shroud · cloak · screen · shield · suppress · bury · blanket · curtain · obfuscate · cloud
tact
Sensitivity in speech
- delicacyRefined sensitivity or rarity
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
- sensitivityResponsiveness to stimuli
restraint · circumspection · decorum · propriety · politeness · consideration · respectfulness · reserve · caution · subtlety
soften
Make less firm
- downplayDiminish perceived importance
- sugarcoatMake something seem pleasanter
- understateExpress with restraint
sanitize · prettify · minimize · tone down · play down · make light of · soft-pedal · cushion · gentle · tactful
let go
Cease holding something
erasure · consign to oblivion · water under the bridge · bygones · turn the page · wipe the slate clean · let sleeping dogs lie
clandestine
Concealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- furtiveSecretive and sly
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
stealthy · undisclosed · confidential · classified · hush-hush · under the table · behind closed doors · off the record · sub rosa · incognito
draw a veil overexpose
Make known publicly
reveal · bring to light · uncover · lay bare · unmask
draw a veil overconfront
Face squarely, address directly
call out · bring up · hold to account · dwell on · harp on
draw a veil overhighlight
Most notable part
spotlight · draw attention to · emphasize · underscore · foreground
draw, draws, drawn, drawing, drawings, drawer, drawers, veil, veils