🤐 Draw a Veil Over: The Art of Concealment and Discretion
draw a veil over, to - To conceal; to say no more about something. A cliché from the mid-nineteenth century, this analogy to hiding one’s face behind a veil is often used to gloss over the details of an embarrassing situation. Daniel Defoe, long known as a historian before he turned his hand to fiction, wrote in The True-born Englishman (1701), “Satyr, be kind! and draw a silent Veil! Thy native England’s vices to conceal.”
Synonyms
- Sweep under the rug
- Bury the hatchet
- Keep under wraps
- Turn a blind eye
- Whitewash
Antonyms
- Lay it all on the table
- Air dirty laundry
- Spill the beans
- Lift the veil
Similar Expressions
- Shroud in secrecy
- Keep it hush-hush
- Hide in plain sight
Proverbs
- “A secret shared is a secret no more.”
- “Least said, soonest mended.”
Quotes
- “Sometimes, it’s better to draw a veil over the past and focus on the future.” —Anonymous
- “Concealment is often the art of balance.” —Henry Edwards
Recommended Literature
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - Exemplifies the societal pressures to conceal certain feelings and situations with decorum.
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - A tale steeped in secrets and the characters’ attempts to hide them.
Recommended Movies
- A Beautiful Mind - Themes of concealing one’s mental struggles are portrayed poignantly.
- The Talented Mr. Ripley - A masterclass in the art of hiding one’s true identity.
Fun Fact
In Victorian times, it was considered highly improper to discuss certain subjects openly. Hence, many a genteel conversation involved drawing a metaphorical veil over matters deemed unseemly.
Inspirational Thought
“In a world that often prefers transparency, remember the strength in knowing when discretion is the better part of valor.”
Farewell Thought: May you wisely choose when to reveal and when to conceal, for in the art of discretion lies true understanding and grace. Until next time, keep your metaphorical veils at the ready!
— L. M. Linguist
