cover one's tracks

Idioms & Phrases

cover one's tracks

Conceal one's whereabouts, activities, intentions, or the evidence of one's involvement. For example, No one knows much about where he's beenhe's very good at covering his tracks. This term transfers hiding one's footprints to more general activities. [1870s] Also see cover up, def. 2.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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