Definition of 'gloss over'

Word Frequency

gloss over

phrasal verb

If you gloss over a problem, a mistake, or an embarrassing moment, you try to make it seem unimportant by ignoring it or by dealing with it very quickly.

Some foreign governments gloss over human rights abuses.

gloss

Word Frequency

gloss over in British

verb (tr, adverb)

to hide under a deceptively attractive surface or appearance

to deal with (unpleasant facts) rapidly and cursorily, or to omit them altogether from an account of something

Example sentences containing 'gloss over'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

They may quickly be glossed over and forgotten unless the changes are painstakingly secured after the terms have been agreed. Torrington, Derek Personnel Management: A New Approach (1991)At work, there is no need to gloss over problems. The Sun (2016)Your mind works faster and smarter and there's no need to gloss over problems because you can solve them. The Sun (2013)I'm not saying that anyone should hide anything or gloss over it. Christianity Today (2000)At work, others may gloss over problems, but you solve them. The Sun (2014)

Trends of 'gloss over'

Used Occasionally. gloss over is one of the 30000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

View usage over:

Nearby words of 'gloss over'

Source

Definition of gloss over from the Collins English Dictionary

Complements

Some verbs such as be, become, seem, do not have an object but a complement. The subject complement is a word or phrase that tells us more about the subject. Alan is a nice person. Rajiv is a psy...