paper over the cracks
idiom
chiefly British
: to hide problems
We have to acknowledge these problems. We can't just paper over the cracks.
Examples of paper over the cracks in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The play of quarterback Trevor Lawrence and his array of receivers could paper over the cracks, however.
—
Erick Smith, USA TODAY, 26 Sep. 2021
But Alabama’s armor possesses a few chinks, and without Young to paper over the cracks, the Tide becomes more vulnerable.
—Blake Toppmeyer, USA TODAY, 2 Oct. 2022
And yet, we are asked to paper over the cracks in institutional support systems with strips torn from our own skin.
—New York Times, 5 July 2022
For the regional races, Mr. Macron has tried to paper over the cracks in the front républicain.
—Noemie Bisserbe, WSJ, 20 June 2021
But the latest result will help paper over the cracks in what's been an inconsistent start to the season from Zidane's side.
—Ben Church, CNN, 27 Oct. 2020
Erick Smith, USA TODAY, 26 Sep. 2021
But Alabama’s armor possesses a few chinks, and without Young to paper over the cracks, the Tide becomes more vulnerable.
—Blake Toppmeyer, USA TODAY, 2 Oct. 2022
And yet, we are asked to paper over the cracks in institutional support systems with strips torn from our own skin.
—New York Times, 5 July 2022
For the regional races, Mr. Macron has tried to paper over the cracks in the front républicain.
—Noemie Bisserbe, WSJ, 20 June 2021
But the latest result will help paper over the cracks in what's been an inconsistent start to the season from Zidane's side.
—Ben Church, CNN, 27 Oct. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'paper over the cracks.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near paper over the cracks
Cite this Entry
“Paper over the cracks.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paper%20over%20the%20cracks. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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