cover for

1. Also, cover up for . Conceal a wrongdoing or wrongdoer, as in Bill was supposed to be on duty but went to a ballgame and Alan agreed to cover for him or I covered up for my friend when her mother called to find out where she was . [1960s] Also see cover up , def. 2.

2. Substitute for someone, act on someone's behalf, as in Mary was asked to cover for Joe while he was on jury duty . [c. 1970]

3. cover for something . Provide protection against some hazard, as in This policy covers the house for fire but not for theft . This idiom employs the verb to cover in the sense of “protect” or “shield,” a usage dating from the 13th century.

Example Sentences

He often used philanthropic work as a cover for his crimes.

From BBC

They’ll also risk providing cover for Republicans to escape blame for the disasters they create.

From Salon

More than any other group, these white Christians, who once proudly called themselves “values voters,” have provided moral and religious cover for the immoral and the profane.

From Salon

By the end the left-hander, who could make a Test debut in New Zealand later this month, was elegantly driving seamer Romario Shepherd over extra cover for six.

From BBC

Cronin might have done him a bigger favor covering for him with his father.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• advocate
• argue
• assert
• back
• champion
• endorse
• explain
• guarantee
• justify
• maintain
• stand by
• support
• uphold