cover tracks

Related to cover tracks: Cover songs

cover (one's) tracks (up)

1. Literally, to conceal one's footprints, typically to avoid being followed. Those hounds can track us across rivers, so covering our tracks won't do any good.
2. To conceal the evidence of one's (usually nefarious) actions. We need to cover our tracks before someone traces the bank robbery back to us. I destroyed those incriminating documents to cover my tracks up.
See also: cover, track
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

cover someone's tracks (up)

to conceal one's trail; to conceal one's past activities. She was able to cover her tracks up so that they couldn't pin the charges on her. It's easy to cover up your tracks when the investigators botch their job. The robber failed to cover his tracks.
See also: cover, track
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

cover (one's) tracks

To conceal traces so as to elude pursuers.
See also: cover, track
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • cover (one's) tracks (up)
  • cover one's tracks
  • cover your tracks
  • track up
  • make tracks
  • make tracks, to
  • smokescreen
  • a smokescreen
  • wrong scent, to be on the
  • literally
References in periodicals archive
Female singers are needed to sing cover tracks by Dusty Springfield, Helen Shapiro, Cilla Black and Sandie Shaw who all thrilled audiences at the Kings Heath Ritz Ballroom during the 1950s and 1960s.
Could you be the star of 60s-style all-girl gig? HUNT IS ON FOR FEMALE SINGERS TO JOIN WALK OF FAME CONCERT
Perhaps what we really need is a TV contest to find decent new songs for them all so they don't have to cover tracks written in the 1960s as so many of them did in elimination week.
Now it's over to you the viewers; With TODAY'S TV Jane Simon Pick of The Day
crashes, sleeves to cover tracks, divorce, forced rehab, return to
My Niece Hangs Herself at 35
Marcus Collins Marcus Collins FEATURING his hit version of the White Stripes' 2003 song Seven Nation Army, last year's X Factor runner-up Collins teams up with his executive producer and mentor, Gary Barlow, to introduce himself with two other cover tracks and eight original songs.
ALBUMS
The insider said: "On her first album right out of the X Factor, there was a lot of reliance on cover tracks.
bYRnE's fEELing tHE HEAt; irish factor star Mary has only one more album to save her career
Previous albums have given home to only a small number of original songs by Kate, with cover tracks being a primary focus.
Kate's cool as you like; FOLK SINGER RUSBY ON PLAYING LIVE
This features a collection of cover tracks from some of the musical heroes who have inspired Steve Miller's long and successful career.
BEVAN'S HEAVEN
1911: PROPOSAL TO COVER TRACKS IN RIVERSIDE PARK FIRST PITCHED
This month in real estate history