ɡlɒs ˈoʊvər
neutral
advanced
- Base verb:
- gloss
- Particle:
- over
- Separable:
- No
What does "gloss over" mean?
To treat something briefly or superficially, avoiding unpleasant details.
Examples
- The report glossed over the safety concerns.
- Don't gloss over the problems — address them head-on.
- He glossed over his lack of experience in the interview.
- The documentary glossed over the most controversial aspects.
How to use it
Almost always has a negative connotation.
Similar expressions
skim over
whitewash
downplay
brush aside
Opposites
scrutinize
examine closely
dwell on
Related phrasal verbs
- get over
To recover from an illness, shock, or emotional upset
- turn over
To flip something so the other side faces up
- come over
To visit someone's home
- go over
To review or examine carefully
- take over
To gain control of something (company, position, responsibility)
- look over
To examine or check something quickly
Use it in a practice answer
Try "gloss over" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.