break cover

verb

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see break, cover.

“Government MPs sympathetic to the opposition's arguments are starting to break cover.”

Similar
show one's true colorsshow one's true stripes
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Meanings

verbbreak cover (third-person singular simple present breaks cover, present participle breaking cover, simple past broke cover, past participle broken cover)

present singular third person breaks cover · participle present breaking cover · past broke cover · participle past broken cover

  1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see break, cover.
  2. broadlyidiomaticTo disclose one's real thoughts and intentions.

    Government MPs sympathetic to the opposition's arguments are starting to break cover.

    Synonyms: show one's true colors, show one's true stripes

Synonyms & antonyms

verbTo disclose one's real thoughts and intentions.

Similar
show one's true colorsshow one's true stripes
Also see
show one's true colors
Cite this entry
APA

break cover. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/break%20cover

MLA

“break cover.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/break%20cover. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “break cover,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/break%20cover.

Source: break cover on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.