gloss over
gloss OH-ver
/ɡlɒs ˈəʊvə/
To avoid considering something, such as a mistake or a problem, or to treat it as unimportant.
Implies a deceptive or superficial treatment of a serious issue.
The story behind the word. From the Dutch 'glos' (lustre or sheen). It originally meant to give a surface a shiny finish. Figuratively, it means to put a 'shiny' layer over a flaw so people don't see the crack underneath.
Word relationships
- whitewash: 'Whitewash' is much stronger, implying a total cover-up of a crime or scandal.
- scrutinize: To examine something very carefully and in detail.
Commonly confused with
- smooth over: 'Smooth over' means to settle a disagreement or make a problem less serious through diplomacy.
Collocations
- gloss over the details
- gloss over a problem
- gloss over the truth
Example sentences
- "The textbook tends to gloss over the more controversial aspects of the war." A biased history book.
- "You can't just gloss over your mistakes and expect us to trust you again." A corporate apology.
Memory hook
Imagine putting shiny lip gloss over a scar to hide it. Shiny surface, hidden flaw.
When not to use
Don't use it for simply forgetting a detail; it implies a deliberate choice to ignore it.
Fun facts
- This 'gloss' is unrelated to the 'gloss' in 'glossary', which comes from the Greek word for tongue.
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