sweep something under the rug
Hide uncomfortable truths
To sweep something under the rug is to conceal a problem or wrongdoing rather than address it—hiding evidence of mess rather than cleaning it up.
The image is of hasty tidying before guests arrive.
The company tried to sweep the safety violations under the rug.
Also *sweep under the carpet*.
- draw a veil overSuppress mention of something
- paper overConceal flaws temporarily
- wave awayReject with gesture
- hideConceal or pelt
- concealKeep from being seen
overlook · ignore · hush up · dirty laundry · skeleton in the closet · cover-up · turn a blind eye · deny · let sleeping dogs lie · bury · neglect · denial · sweep · disregard · secret · look the other way · play dumb · rug
sweep something under the rugbring to light
Expose hidden information
expose · reveal · air dirty laundry · lay bare · uncover
sweep something under the rugface the music
Accept deserved consequences
deal with it · take responsibility · own up to · hold accountable · call out
sweep something under the rugown up to
come clean · take responsibility · hold accountable · fess up · acknowledge