Google
English-Test.net
Find penpals and make new friends today!
 
to dress; to put on clothes
interrupt
fulfill
develop
attire
TOEIC prep test: Word games free: Online Verb Game Answer
 
Username
Password
 Remember me? 
Search   FAQ   Memberlist   Profile   Private messages   Register   Log in 

Expression: "Sweep under the carpet"



 
ESL/EFL Worksheets and Handouts for Students Printable, photocopiable, clearly structured
Designed for teachers and individual learners
For use in a classroom, at home, on your PC
ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
Appropriate Adjective | Possessive case- a confusion.
Listening exercises
Message
Author
Expression: "Sweep under the carpet" #1 (permalink) Mon Apr 07, 2008 10:25 am   Expression: "Sweep under the carpet"
 

Hi

I read an expression (sorry to say can't recall where) which was synonymous to sweep under the carpet.. It was something like this:

Push under the rubble or rudder or...

Could you please help me with it?

Many thanks for being so patient.

Tom
Tom
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 30 May 2006
Posts: 2061

Expression: "Sweep under the carpet" #2 (permalink) Mon Apr 07, 2008 10:41 am   Expression: "Sweep under the carpet"
 

Hi Tom,

The meaning behind the expression is something like this: Pretend that something doesn't exist/refuse to accept the truth/refuse to discuss something. Obviously if you are cleaning a floor, you should pick up all the dirt. If you are lazy, you sweep the dirt under the carpet/rug trying to persuade everyone and yourself that there is no dirt.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Only Three Letters
Alan
Co-founder
Alan Townend

Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 9191
Location: UK

Are you a native speaker of English? Then you should read this!English grammar exercises — improve your English knowledge and vocabulary skillsSign up for FREE and explore English! Click to subscribe to email English courseWhat do you know about the progressive forms?
Expression: "Sweep under the carpet" #3 (permalink) Mon Apr 07, 2008 11:09 am   Expression: "Sweep under the carpet"
 

By the way, I think the American variant of this idiom is 'sweep something under the rug'.
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary
Torsten
Learning Coach
Torsten Daerr

Joined: 25 Sep 2003
Posts: 10051
Location: EU

Display posts from previous:   
Appropriate Adjective | Possessive case- a confusion.
ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms Expression: "Sweep under the carpet" All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Page 1 of 1
Latest topics on ESL EFL Forums
Is there any "liveshow" or "live show" in English?If clause (Can we use continous form in If clause?)Is the text written correctly?Usage of the verb "Come back"Sentence correction: Ever Friday night, I feel Frustration after i complete my...Usage of the verb "continuous"problem with 'fill in the blank with only 1 most suitable word'what is the difference? chance vs opportunity"to have been" vs "as have been"Can I phrase it this way?in which vs to whichto get interestedYou have too much invested vs. You have invested too muchrooftop mall parkade coined by Nelly Furtado?phrase "this far out"Optional test (Is this the first year that you ... to this country?)Expression: "Packed like..."Difference between 'IF' and 'WHETHER'Expression: "Sweep under the carpet"

Discover English-test.net
Relative pronounsFind or FindingI sure do hate ALDI!what is the verb for the noun gold?SAT preparation test: Activities for Teaching Vocabulary: English Adjectives NounsSAT exam test: Word games online: Free Adjective Noun GameDefine corpulent, fragile, immiscible, inadvisable, rebellious, out-of-the-way, unnaturalPimsleur Hindi: Pimsleur Hindi Language ProgramPart of speech worksheets: Letter Writing (3)English grammar quiz: English Slang Idioms (175)

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Subscribe to FREE email English course
First name E-mail