Meaning of cover story | Babel Free

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