Expression: "Sweep under the carpet"

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi

I read an expression (sorry to say can’t recall where) which was synonymous to [color=red]sweep under the carpet.. It was something like this:

Push under the rubble or rudder or…

Could you please help me with it?

Many thanks for being so patient.

Tom

2

Hi Tom,

The meaning behind the expression is something like this: Pretend that something doesn’t exist/refuse to accept the truth/refuse to discuss something. Obviously if you are cleaning a floor, you should pick up all the dirt. If you are lazy, you sweep the dirt under the carpet/rug trying to persuade everyone and yourself that there is no dirt.

Alan

3

By the way, I think the American variant of this idiom is ‘sweep something under the rug’.[YSaerTTEW443543]

TOEFL listening lectures: A lecture from a life sciences class (2)[YSaerTTEW443543]