papering over
Masking without fixing
Papering over is concealing problems or flaws without actually fixing them—like covering damaged walls with fresh wallpaper.
The phrase usually implies the underlying issue will eventually resurface: The agreement was just papering over deep divisions in the party.
Often appears as papering over the cracks.
Hiding wrongdoing from public
- whitewashConceal or coat pale
- maskFace-worn concealment
- hideConceal or pelt
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
camouflage · veil · obscure · smokescreen · bury · suppress · cloak · screen
Reduce to smallest extent
- trivializeMake light of
- understateExpress with restraint
- play downDiminish perceived significance
- soft-pedalDiminish stated significance
de-emphasize · diminish · underplay · discount · brush aside · make light of · skirt around · sidestep
cover-up
Hiding wrongdoing from public
disguise · camouflage · veil · obscure · smokescreen · bury · suppress · cloak · screen · shroud
minimize
Reduce to smallest extent
- trivializeMake light of
- understateExpress with restraint
- play downDiminish perceived significance
soft-pedal · de-emphasize · diminish · underplay · discount · brush aside · make light of · skirt around · sidestep · deflect
- avoiding tacticsdodging, evading, sidestepping, skirting, deflecting
papering oversolving
Finding the answer
fixing · repairing · getting to the bottom of · remedying · overhauling
papering overexposing
Making something known
laying bare · revealing · uncovering · bringing to light · confronting
papering overconfronting
Addressing directly
facing up to · acknowledging · admitting · reckoning with · telling it like it is
paper, papering, over, papers, papered, paperwork, paperback, paperboard, papery