Sweeping under the carpet In english explanation

The meaning, explanation, definition and origin of the idiom/phrase "sweeping under the carpet", English Idiom Dictionary ( also found in Vietnamese )

author Eudora Thao calendar 2021-03-14 08:03

Meaning of Sweeping under the carpet (redirected from sweep under the carpet, rug )

Synonyms:

sweep the board , sweep (one) off (one's) feet , sweep under the carpet

Sweep under the carpet, rug British American phrase

"Sweep something under the carpet" is mainly used in British while the usual American expression is "sweep something under the rug".

Try to hide and deny something that is embarrassing, unappealing, or damaging to one's reputation

This fiasco can't be swept under the rug.

You need to stop sweeping your health problems under the carpet, if you want to get well soon.

The city management team's attempts to sweep the scandal under the carpet were not very effective.

Origin of Sweep under the carpet, rug

Sweep something under the carpet, rug that means hide the secret.
Try to hide and deny something that is embarrassing, unappealing, or damaging to one's reputation

In the early 1900s, the terms 'sweep something under the rug and sweep something under the carpet' came into use and are based on the idea of a lazy maid or homemaker sweeping dirt under a rug or carpet, instead of going to the difficulty of getting a dust pan and dealing with the dirt to remove it from the home.

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TODAY
as it happens/happened
Coincidentally, suprisingly; as a matter of fact
Example: I went to my grandma's house to look for my cat. As it happened, the cat was in my grandma's care. 
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