Sweep something under the rug or carpet is a common expression used to talk about what politicians, companies or even family members do. This is because everyone is guilty of ignoring or not dealing with something. The visual is quite helpful. If you sweep dirt under a rug, you cover it up so no one sees it, but it’s still there. This is the same idea.
SWEEP SOMETHING UNDER THE RUG
- idiom used in the US
- to hide something so you do not have to deal with it
- to ignore something or pretend it’s not there
- If money is missing, we can’t just sweep it under the rug. We need to investigate what is happening.
- Sweeping your problems under the rug will not make them disappear. At some point you need to face them.
SWEEP SOMETHING UNDER THE CARPET
- idiom used in the UK
- same meaning as sweep something under the carpet.
- His actions will not be swept under the carpet.
- I think sometimes it’s easier for people to just sweep th!ngs under the carpet than to actually have to deal with them.
- Click here to hear this idiom being used in our podcast English Impulse.
ENGLISH VOCABULARY
Now that you have read our post, take a look at our other Expression Session posts:
Expression Session: play ball
Expression Session: slap in the face
