cover story

Definitions

1. A story included in a publication that is highlighted on the front cover.
2. A fictitious account that is intended to hide one's real motive.
3. Any fictitious account used to hide, distract from, or falsely explain the truth which one intends to conceal.
   broadly

Equivalents

Examples

“We didn't even think⟳ it was that important, at first, and yet by the end⟳ of the week it had become⟳ the cover⟳ story of the next issue⟳.”

“It's ironic that the day before the Prime Minister confirmed the go-ahead for HS2, RAIL 898 hit my doormat with a cover⟳ story 'Is reopening the GC a viable alternative to HS2?'”

“The cover⟳ story of an intelligence agent posing as a foreign service officer is called a diplomatic cover⟳ in the trade⟳.”

“"This is just a cover⟳ story," Clay says to O5-8, not taking his eyes off Marion. "It's a good one, but she's had it worked out in advance." "Clay, lose⟳ the piece," says the O5. Grudgingly, Clay does so.”

CEFR level