Meaning of "over the cracks"

[Gella]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #116 "Paper expressions", question 2

They've tried to keep the truth from you but nothing's changed as all they've done is paper ......... the cracks.

(a) across
(b) in
(c) up
(d) over

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #116 "Paper expressions", answer 2

They've tried to keep the truth from you but nothing's changed as all they've done is paper over the cracks.

Correct answer: (d) over

Your answer was: correct
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what does over the cracks mean?
thanks

Gella

[Alan]

Hi Gella,

This expression describes how people sometimes try to hide/conceal what has really happened and do all they can to make averything look perfectly normal. There is a similar expression: sweep everything under the carpet.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Caracol]

Thanks for the meaning!

[Oad]

Do you think the sentence should be "all they've done is to paper ......... the cracks."

[Saneta]

Oad, I think the same, could please help us any of the teachers?

thanks

[Beeesneees]

'to' is not necessary.
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"Inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened."
Terry Pratchett