What is to paper over the cracks?

[Deya]

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #65 "What a Cracker", question 9

They haven't really put matters right at all because they've simply papered ......... the cracks.

(a) through
(b) along
(c) beside
(d) over

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #65 "What a Cracker", answer 9

They haven't really put matters right at all because they've simply papered over the cracks.

Correct answer: (d) over

Your answer was: incorrect
They haven't really put matters right at all because they've simply papered through the cracks.
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What is to paper over the cracks?

Deya

[Daniela]

Hi Deya,
"To paper over the cracks" is a set expression which means "to try to hide or cover misunderstandings".

Daniela

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[Comenius]

Even further, the "cracks" can be anything that is considered to be "bad" in some way. So, you could try to paper over the cracks of your relationship with your boyfriend, your career at your present job, etc. It doesn't only have to be limited to misunderstandings. It just means you're trying to hide something from others, or even yourself--perhaps trying to convince yourself that something is really not all that bad when in fact it really is bad.

Hope this helps,

-David

[Deya]

Thank you, Daniela and David.It did help.
And by the way I'm from BG, too :D