cover

cover — verb

1. to put one thing on top of another, so that the thing underneath is hidden, prot

1.動詞及物A2
釋義

to put one thing on top of another, so that the thing underneath is hidden, protected, or made to look different

例句

Sayaka covered the table with a white cloth before dinner.

cover + object + with + noun phrase

Snow covered the garden after the storm passed through the night.

inanimate subject covering a surface

同義詞
  • wrap

    implies folding material around an object, not just laying on top

  • coat

    suggests a thin, even layer of liquid or powder

  • blanket

    used figuratively for a thick, even covering

反義詞
  • uncover

    to remove a covering from something

  • expose

    to leave something without protection or covering

文法句型

cover + object + with + noun phrase

be covered with/in + noun phrase

用法筆記

Often used in the passive form to describe the state of a surface: 'The road was covered with ice.'

常見錯誤

❌I covered the food by a plate.
✅I covered the food with a plate.
💡Use 'with', not 'by', to name the covering material.
❌The ground covered with leaves.
✅The ground was covered with leaves.
💡Use the passive form when describing an existing state.

2. to include or deal with a particular subject, area, or range of things in a disc

2.動詞及物B1
釋義

to include or deal with a particular subject, area, or range of things in a discussion, book, course, or activity

例句

The history course covers events from the Roman Empire to the present day.

subject (course/book) + covers + range of topics

Does your travel insurance cover medical expenses while you are abroad?

insurance + covers + costs/expenses

同義詞
  • include

    more general; does not suggest thorough treatment

  • address

    suggests direct attention to a specific issue

  • encompass

    more formal; suggests a very wide scope

反義詞
  • exclude

    to leave something out deliberately

  • omit

    to not include something

文法句型

cover + noun phrase (topic/area)

用法筆記

The object is typically a broad topic, area, or set of items rather than a single point. To talk about a single detail, use 'include' or 'address' instead.

常見錯誤

❌The book covers about the history of Japan.
✅The book covers the history of Japan.
💡'Cover' takes a direct object; do not add 'about' after it.

3. to give an account of an important event for a newspaper, TV broadcast, or other

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

to give an account of an important event for a newspaper, TV broadcast, or other news organisation

例句

Sahil covered the earthquake for a local news channel.

reporter + covers + event for + outlet

The journalist was sent to cover the election campaign in Brazil.

同義詞

文法句型

cover + noun phrase (event/story)

用法筆記

Used primarily in journalism contexts. The subject can be a person (reporter) or an organisation (newspaper, TV station). The object is an event, campaign, or story.

常見錯誤

❌The journalist covered the news about the earthquake happened last night.
✅The journalist covered the earthquake that happened last night.
💡Avoid 'cover about'; the verb takes a direct object.

4. to provide financial protection through an insurance policy, so that money is pa

4.動詞及物C1
釋義

to provide financial protection through an insurance policy, so that money is paid if something bad happens, such as an accident, injury, loss, or theft

例句

The policy covers you against fire damage and flooding.

cover + object + against + risk

Does your car insurance cover the cost of a rental car after an accident?

同義詞
  • insure

    the verb form of the noun 'insurance'; similar meaning

  • protect

    broader meaning; not limited to financial protection

反義詞
  • exclude

    to state that something is not protected by the policy

文法句型

cover + object + against/for + risk

用法筆記

The subject is the insurance policy or company. The object is the person or item protected, or the costs covered. 'Against' introduces the risk; 'for' introduces the cost or item.

常見錯誤

❌This insurance covers for fire damage.
✅This insurance covers fire damage.
💡'Cover' takes a direct object; do not add 'for' before what is covered.

5. to do something beforehand so that you will not be held responsible if questions

5.動詞及物B2
釋義

to do something beforehand so that you will not be held responsible if questions or problems arise later

例句

Make sure you cover yourself by getting written approval from the manager.

reflexive: cover yourself + by + action

The lawyer told her to cover herself against any future complaints.

cover oneself + against + risk

同義詞

文法句型

cover + oneself + against/for + noun phrase

用法筆記

Almost always used reflexively (cover yourself / cover oneself / cover themselves). The preposition 'against' introduces the potential problem, while 'by' or 'with' introduces the protective action taken.

常見錯誤

❌I covered from blame by keeping records.
✅I covered myself against blame by keeping records.
💡The reflexive pronoun is required in this sense.

6. to go over a specific length or span of ground, especially a noteworthy or consi

6.動詞及物B2
釋義

to go over a specific length or span of ground, especially a noteworthy or considerable amount

例句

Mauricio covered over eight hundred kilometres on his bicycle trip.

cover + distance (specific number + unit)

The runners covered the first ten miles in under an hour.

同義詞
  • travel

    more general; does not emphasise the distance itself

  • cross

    suggests going from one side to the other of an area

  • traverse

    more formal; used for longer or more difficult journeys

文法句型

cover + distance/ground/miles/kilometres

用法筆記

The object is always a distance (miles, kilometres, metres). The subject is typically a person travelling, a vehicle, or a group of people. Often used with 'in' to describe time taken.

常見錯誤

❌We covered to the next town in two hours.
✅We covered twenty miles to the next town in two hours.
💡You must state the distance; 'cover' cannot stand alone without a measurement.

7. if an amount of money covers a cost or expense, there is enough of it to pay for

7.動詞及物C1
釋義

if an amount of money covers a cost or expense, there is enough of it to pay for that thing

例句

The scholarship money covers João's tuition fees for the whole academic year.

cover + [cost] + for + [duration]

Does your travel insurance cover medical expenses if you fall ill abroad?

question: does [insurance] cover [expenses]?

同義詞
  • pay for

    more general; implies handing over money

  • meet

    formal; used for costs or obligations that need to be satisfied

  • fund

    used for large expenses or projects paid from a dedicated source

反義詞
  • exceed

    to be more than what is available

文法句型

cover + [cost/expense]

用法筆記

Often used with nouns for costs, expenses, or financial obligations. The subject is typically money, a budget, a fund, or an insurance policy.

8. to protect someone by shooting at an enemy so that the protected person can move

8.動詞及物
釋義

to protect someone by shooting at an enemy so that the protected person can move to safety or advance

例句

The soldiers shouted for Élise to cover them while they ran across the open field.

cover + [person] + while + [action]

Two snipers on the roof covered the rescue team as they pulled survivors from the building.

同義詞
  • protect

    broader; not limited to armed cover

  • shield

    implies using oneself or an object as a barrier

  • guard

    staying close and watching for danger

文法句型

cover + [person fleeing/danger zone]

用法筆記

Frequently used in military and law-enforcement contexts. The object is usually a person or group that is moving and needs protection from attack.

9. when soldiers, police, or security personnel cover a location, they position the

9.動詞及物
釋義

when soldiers, police, or security personnel cover a location, they position themselves there to watch for danger and defend it from attack

例句

The regiment was ordered to cover the main road leading into the city.

cover + [road/bridge/entrance]

Four police units were sent to cover every entrance to the government building.

cover + every + [entrance/exit]

同義詞
  • guard

    stay close to something to protect it

  • patrol

    move through an area watching for trouble

  • watch over

    keep under observation for safety

文法句型

cover + [place/area]

用法筆記

The object is typically a geographical area, road, building, or entrance — not a person. Distinguish from sense 8 (COVERING FIRE), where the object is a person needing protection during movement.

10. in sports, to stay close to an opposing player so as to prevent them from receiv

10.動詞及物
釋義

in sports, to stay close to an opposing player so as to prevent them from receiving the ball, passing it, or scoring

例句

Mizuki covered the opposing team's best striker so tightly that the player could not control a single pass.

cover + [player] + so + [adverb] + that + [result]

The coach told Brian to cover the tall player near the basket at all times.

cover + [player] + near + [area]

同義詞
  • mark

    British English; common in football

  • guard

    used especially in basketball

  • shadow

    follow an opponent closely everywhere they go

文法句型

cover + [opponent player]

用法筆記

Used mainly in team ball sports such as football, basketball, rugby, and hockey. The object is always a player of the opposing team.

11. to do the work that a colleague or team member normally does, because they are t

11.動詞及物 / 不及物
釋義

to do the work that a colleague or team member normally does, because they are temporarily away or unable to do it

例句

Faisal covered for his colleague while she was on maternity leave.

cover for + [person]

Can you cover the morning shift for me tomorrow? I have a doctor's appointment.

cover + [shift/class/route]

同義詞

文法句型

cover for + [person]

cover + [shift/duty]

用法筆記

When used intransitively, the preposition 'for' introduces the person being replaced. When used transitively, the object is the duty, shift, or position — not the person.

常見錯誤

❌Shanti covered his job while he was away.
✅Shanti covered for him while he was away.
💡'cover for' takes a person as object; 'cover' transitively takes a duty or role.

12. to sing or play a piece of music and record it in your own style, after another

12.動詞及物
釋義

to sing or play a piece of music and record it in your own style, after another artist originally released and popularised it

例句

The band covered a 1970s rock classic and turned it into a dance hit.

cover + [genre] + song from + [decade]

Sirin covered a folk tune her grandmother used to sing, adding a modern pop arrangement.

同義詞

文法句型

cover + [song/tune]

用法筆記

The object of the verb is the song itself, not the original artist. A band covers a song 'by' another artist.

cover — noun