under the rug



under the rug

Kept secret or hidden from view, usually due to one's misfortune or embarrassment. The phrase is typically used with the verbs "sweep" and "brush," likened to how dirt would be swept under a rug to hastily hide it. We need to sweep this scandal under the rug as soon as possible. I was so mortified by my mistake that I immediately tried to brush it under the rug.
See also: rug

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Aibek-Kazakh, Kyrgyz
HÜSeyİN-Turkish
Golda-Yiddish
HarlandHAHR-ləndEnglish
Ela (2)-Turkish
SondraSAWN-drəEnglish