Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.
whitewash something — {v.}, {informal} To explain a major, national scandal in soothing official terms so as to assure the public that things are under control and there is no need to panic. * /Many people in the United States believe that President Kennedy s… … Dictionary of American idioms
whitewash — [[t](h)wa͟ɪtwɒʃ[/t]] whitewashes, whitewashing, whitewashed 1) N UNCOUNT Whitewash is a mixture of lime or chalk and water that is used for painting walls white. 2) VERB If a wall or building has been whitewashed, it has been painted white with… … English dictionary
Whitewash (TV special) — Whitewash is a 1994 HBO Family Channel special based on a true story. Plot This special uses animation to tell the story of a young black girl s encounter with racism. On their way home from school, Helene and her brother are attacked by a group… … Wikipedia
whitewash — [hwīt′wôsh΄, wīt′wôsh΄] n. 1. a mixture of lime, whiting, size, water, etc., for whitening walls, etc. 2. a cosmetic formerly used for making the skin fair 3. a) a glossing over or concealing of faults or defects in an effort to exonerate or give … English World dictionary
Whitewash — White wash , n. [1913 Webster] 1. Any wash or liquid composition for whitening something, as a wash for making the skin fair. Addison. [1913 Webster] 2. A composition of line and water, or of whiting size, and water, or the like, used for… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
whitewash — 1. tv. to make something look better than it really is; to conceal something bad. □ Now, don’t try to whitewash his incident. Open up about it. □ The mayor’s office tried to whitewash the whole affair. 2. n. an act or campaign of covering up… … Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions
whitewash — white|wash1 [ˈwaıtwɔʃ US wo:ʃ, wa:ʃ] n 1.) [U and C] a report or examination of events that hides the true facts about something so that the person who is responsible will not be punished = ↑cover up ▪ The official report into the cause of the… … Dictionary of contemporary English
whitewash — I UK [ˈwaɪtˌwɒʃ] / US [ˈwaɪtˌwɑʃ] / US [ˈhwaɪtˌwɑʃ] noun 1) [singular/uncountable] an attempt to stop people discovering the true facts about something, in order to prevent someone in authority from being criticized 2) [singular] mainly… … English dictionary
whitewash — white|wash1 [ waıt,waʃ, hwaıt,waʃ ] noun 1. ) singular or uncount an attempt to stop people from discovering the true facts about something, in order to prevent someone in authority from being criticized 2. ) uncount a substance used for painting … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
whitewash — 1 noun 1 (C, U) a report or examination of events that hides the true facts about something so that the person who is responsible will not be punished 2 (U) a white liquid mixture used especially for painting walls 3 (C) an easy win in sport 2… … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
