Paper over Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈpeɪpɝ/ /ˈoʊvɝ

PAY-per OH-ver

UK

pˈeɪpɐ/ /ˈəʊvɐ

PAY-puh OH-vuh

Definition

To try to hide or cover up a problem or disagreement, instead of fixing it.

Usage & Nuances

Commonly used for minor fixes that cover deep issues—seen as negative or superficial. Often used with 'differences', 'cracks', 'problems'. Not literal—has nothing to do with actual paper.

• Spanish: ocultar - tapar (problemas)
• Portuguese (BR): encobrir - disfarçar (problemas)
• Portuguese (PT): disfarçar - esconder (problemas)
• Chinese (Simplified): 掩盖
• Chinese (Traditional): 掩蓋
• Hindi: छुपाना - ऊपर-ऊपर से ठीक करना
• Arabic: تغطية (المشاكل) - تجاهل (المشاكل)
• Bengali: ঢেকে রাখা - ছদ্মবেশে রাখা
• Russian: замазывать - замалчивать - скрывать (поверхностно)
• Japanese: ごまかす - 見て見ぬふりをする
• Vietnamese: che giấu - che đậy (vấn đề)
• Korean: 덮어두다 - 얼버무리다
• Turkish: üzeri kapatmak - geçiştirmek
• Urdu: پردہ ڈالنا - چھپانا (مسئلہ)
• Indonesian: menutup-nutupi - mengaburkan

Example Sentences

They tried to paper over the cracks in their relationship.

basic

Don’t just paper over your mistakes, learn from them.

basic

She wanted to paper over the disagreement to keep everyone happy.

basic

Management is just trying to paper over the serious issues at work.

natural

We can’t just paper over our differences forever.

natural

The new policy just papers over the real challenges the company faces.

natural