fig leaf

A literal or metaphorical covering used to hide something embarrassing, shameful, or unattractive; originally referring to the leaf used by Adam and Eve in the Bible to cover their nakedness.

• 🇨🇳字面或比喻意义上的遮掩物，用来掩盖令人尴尬、羞耻或不光彩的事物；最初指《圣经》中亚当和夏娃用来遮羞的无花果树叶。

1. Literal leaf B2 formal

   A leaf of a fig tree, often used in art to cover the genitals of nude figures.

   • The statue was originally carved with a fig leaf.
   • In Renaissance paintings, fig leaves were sometimes added later.
   • The gardener picked a fresh fig leaf for the arrangement.

   🇨🇳无花果叶

2. Something used to hide something shameful C1 formal

   A thing used to conceal an embarrassing or unpleasant fact or motive.

   • The company's charity work was just a fig leaf for its tax evasion.
   • His apology was a fig leaf for his real intentions.
   • The new policy is a fig leaf to cover up the budget cuts.

   🇨🇳遮羞布