break cover
break cover (idiom)
/breɪk ˈkʌvər/
Synopsis
The idiom “break cover” describes the act of emerging from concealment—literally or figuratively—whether an animal leaving its shelter, soldiers moving out of hiding, or a person revealing intentions after a period of silence. Originating in British hunting language, where game “broke cover” when flushed from the brush, the phrase later moved into military description and eventually into political and public commentary. Its modern figurative meaning retains the original image: something hidden suddenly steps into the open.
Meanings
- To reveal your true position, intentions, or opinions after hiding them.
- To suddenly come out from a hiding place or shelter.
- To move out from protection and become visible.
- To show yourself publicly after keeping silent or secret.
Synonyms: reveal oneself; emerge; come out; disclose intentions; step into the open; show one’s true colors.
Example Sentences
- The adviser decided to break cover and admit he had been guiding the project from the start.
- The hikers waited until the storm eased, then break cover and rushed toward the cabin.
- At first light, the patrol break cover and advanced across the open field.
- After months of silence, several experts finally break cover and criticized the policy.
Origin and History
Hunting Roots
The earliest and most credible origin of “break cover” comes from traditional British hunting language. In this setting, the phrase described the moment when an animal—such as a fox or bird—suddenly left the bushes or “cover” where it had been concealed. This literal, physical action created the foundational image: something hidden suddenly emerges into the open.
Movement Into Military Usage
From hunting, the phrase transitioned naturally into military vocabulary. Soldiers, scouts, or cavalry were said to “break cover” when they left a concealed position, exposing themselves to view or enemy fire. Although still literal, this new setting extended the phrase beyond animals and into tactical human action.
Shift to Figurative Meaning
In time, “break cover” entered political, journalistic, and social commentary as a figurative expression. Public figures, advisers, or organizations “broke cover” when they abandoned silence, revealed intentions, or appeared openly after concealing their position. This figurative sense preserved the core idea of emerging from concealment but applied it to motives, strategies, and public actions rather than physical hiding.
Country of Origin
All early uses trace back to Britain, where both the hunting culture and the military prose that adopted the term were prominent. The linguistic environment, combined with a strong tradition of sporting literature, supports a clear British origin for the idiom.
Early Printed Evidence
Nineteenth-century British books provide the earliest verifiable examples in accessible print. Works such as The Every-Day Book (1826) use the phrase in hunting descriptions, where a fox “broke cover” and the chase began. Later nineteenth-century collections, including social and sporting narratives, employ the phrase in the same literal sense, confirming its established use by that time.
Notes on Earlier Attributions
Some scholarly references point to earlier appearances in the historical record, possibly in early modern English manuscripts or marginal writings. These earlier examples are not easily accessible in public archives and typically require specialized subscription repositories. Because of this barrier, a definitive earliest printed line cannot be quoted here, although academic sources suggest the idiom was known before the nineteenth century.
Variants
- break one’s cover
- break covert (archaic)
- come out of cover (closely related usage)
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