fig leaf
noun
1
: the leaf of a fig tree
2
[from the use by Adam and Eve of fig leaves to cover their nakedness after eating the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:7)]
: something that conceals or camouflages usually inadequately or dishonestly
Examples of fig leaf in a Sentence
Opponents claim that the humanitarian goals of the project are just a fig leaf, and that its real purpose is to make money.
Recent Examples on the Web
Former Vice President Mike Pence, a devout Christian who joined the Trump campaign as its fig leaf to the religious bloc of voters, expressed frustration with Trump’s new position this week.
—
Philip Elliott, TIME, 9 Apr. 2024
For those watching outside Russia, the pageant provides Putin with a useful fig leaf—albeit not a very convincing one to anyone with critical-thinking skills—to claim that his rule has been approved by the popular will.
—Brian Klaas, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2024
But to Meiklejohn, this seemed like an inherently dangerous sort of fig leaf to hide behind.
—Andy Greenberg, Ars Technica, 18 Jan. 2024
While this may be true, this excuse was more of a fig leaf to cover up the Army’s troubles in fielding a scout/attack helicopter.
—Mike Hirschberg, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
Critics say the entire process is a fig leaf of democracy, designed to give the appearance of competition in a system where none exists.
—Reuters, NBC News, 12 Jan. 2024
The set includes 60 pods and is offered fragrance-free, as well as in three scents: tangerine lemon grass, thyme fig leaf, and red pear with magnolia.
—Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2023
The leadership of the U.N. bureaucracy used to benefit from a thin fig leaf of deniability, insulating it from the blatantly antisemitic dealings of a membership of which many consistently singled out Israel while all too frequently ignoring the misdeeds of the world’s authoritarians and butchers.
—The Editors, National Review, 25 Oct. 2023
Such questions are elided behind the fig leaf of Hoffman’s mysticism.
—Ron Charles, Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2023
Philip Elliott, TIME, 9 Apr. 2024
For those watching outside Russia, the pageant provides Putin with a useful fig leaf—albeit not a very convincing one to anyone with critical-thinking skills—to claim that his rule has been approved by the popular will.
—Brian Klaas, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2024
But to Meiklejohn, this seemed like an inherently dangerous sort of fig leaf to hide behind.
—Andy Greenberg, Ars Technica, 18 Jan. 2024
While this may be true, this excuse was more of a fig leaf to cover up the Army’s troubles in fielding a scout/attack helicopter.
—Mike Hirschberg, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
Critics say the entire process is a fig leaf of democracy, designed to give the appearance of competition in a system where none exists.
—Reuters, NBC News, 12 Jan. 2024
The set includes 60 pods and is offered fragrance-free, as well as in three scents: tangerine lemon grass, thyme fig leaf, and red pear with magnolia.
—Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2023
The leadership of the U.N. bureaucracy used to benefit from a thin fig leaf of deniability, insulating it from the blatantly antisemitic dealings of a membership of which many consistently singled out Israel while all too frequently ignoring the misdeeds of the world’s authoritarians and butchers.
—The Editors, National Review, 25 Oct. 2023
Such questions are elided behind the fig leaf of Hoffman’s mysticism.
—Ron Charles, Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fig leaf.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Fig leaf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fig%20leaf. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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