Gloss over
verb
To ignore or avoid dealing with something unpleasant or difficult.
The report glosses over the fact that many employees will lose their jobs.
Often appears as...
- gloss over the details
- gloss over the fact
verb
To cover something up or make it seem less important or bad.
He glossed over his absence by saying he had a family emergency.
Often appears as...
- gloss over a mistake
- gloss over faults
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To ignore or avoid dealing with something unpleasant or difficult.
The report glosses over the fact that many employees will lose their jobs.
Often appears as...
- gloss over the details
- gloss over the fact
verb
To cover something up or make it seem less important or bad.
He glossed over his absence by saying he had a family emergency.
Often appears as...
- gloss over a mistake
- gloss over faults
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Avoidance Strategy
Used when someone doesn't want to focus on negative aspects, often in speech or writing.
In his speech, he glossed over the low sales numbers and focused on future plans.
Pro Tip 2/3Subtle Evasion
It sounds less direct and more polite than admitting to ignoring a problem.
She glossed over the argument as if it was a minor disagreement.
Pro Tip 3/3Conversation Flow
Use it to smoothly move away from a topic without causing awkwardness in the conversation.
We glossed over his tardiness so as not to embarrass him in front of the group.
Pro Tip 1/3Avoidance Strategy
Used when someone doesn't want to focus on negative aspects, often in speech or writing.
In his speech, he glossed over the low sales numbers and focused on future plans.
Pro Tip 2/3Subtle Evasion
It sounds less direct and more polite than admitting to ignoring a problem.
She glossed over the argument as if it was a minor disagreement.
Pro Tip 3/3Conversation Flow
Use it to smoothly move away from a topic without causing awkwardness in the conversation.
We glossed over his tardiness so as not to embarrass him in front of the group.
Pro Tip 1/3Avoidance Strategy
Used when someone doesn't want to focus on negative aspects, often in speech or writing.
In his speech, he glossed over the low sales numbers and focused on future plans.
Pro Tip 2/3Subtle Evasion
It sounds less direct and more polite than admitting to ignoring a problem.
She glossed over the argument as if it was a minor disagreement.
Pro Tip 3/3Conversation Flow
Use it to smoothly move away from a topic without causing awkwardness in the conversation.
We glossed over his tardiness so as not to embarrass him in front of the group.
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