cover-shoulder: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / SpecializedMostly figurative and somewhat informal or narrative; not common in neutral technical language.
Quick answer
What does “cover-shoulder” mean?
To provide literal or figurative protection or concealment for someone.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To provide literal or figurative protection or concealment for someone.
To bear responsibility for or defend someone's actions; to shield from blame or criticism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage; the form is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly archaic or literary connotation in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency. More common to encounter the concepts separately: 'cover for' or 'shoulder the responsibility.'
Grammar
How to Use “cover-shoulder” in a Sentence
[Subject] cover-shoulder [for] [Object] (e.g., He covered-shouldered for his friend).[Subject] cover-shoulder [Object] (e.g., She covered-shouldered his errors).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cover-shoulder” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- As a loyal deputy, he would always cover-shoulder for the minister during controversies.
- I'll cover-shoulder you if the boss asks about the missing file.
American English
- She covered-shouldered her brother when their parents asked about the broken window.
- The quarterback tried to cover-shoulder his receiver's route mistake in the post-game interview.
adverb
British English
- He acted cover-shoulder, taking the blame without hesitation. (extremely rare/non-standard)
American English
- She stepped in cover-shoulder, shielding her colleague from criticism. (extremely rare/non-standard)
adjective
British English
- He had a cover-shoulder attitude that made him popular with his error-prone team. (extremely rare, potentially non-standard)
- It was a cover-shoulder manoeuvre to protect the junior staff.
American English
- Her cover-shoulder instinct kicked in immediately when the client complained. (rare/non-standard)
- They developed a cover-shoulder protocol for project failures. (invented, illustrative)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in narratives about team loyalty: 'The manager had to cover-shoulder the team's failed project in the report.'
Academic
Virtually unused.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used creatively in storytelling.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cover-shoulder”
- Using it as a common verb (it's rare).
- Incorrect hyphenation: writing as 'cover shoulder' (two words) loses the compound sense.
- Overusing in formal writing where 'cover for' or 'assume responsibility for' is better.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very rare and somewhat non-standard compound. The concepts are more commonly expressed with phrases like 'cover for someone' or 'shoulder the blame.'
It is not advisable. In formal contexts, use precise phrases like 'assume responsibility for,' 'shield from blame,' or 'act as a guarantor for.'
It is primarily used as a transitive or intransitive verb, though its use is so rare that other forms (adjective, adverb) are essentially non-existent in standard usage.
Because it is extremely rare, using it might confuse listeners or readers who expect the more common phrases 'cover for' or 'shoulder the responsibility.' It is better learned as a curiosity than as active vocabulary.
To provide literal or figurative protection or concealment for someone.
Cover-shoulder: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʌvə ˌʃəʊldə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkʌvər ˌʃoʊldər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To have a broad shoulder (to lean on)”
- “To give someone the cold shoulder (not related)”
- “To cover one's back”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a friend hiding behind your shoulders for cover in a game of hide-and-seek; you are literally covering their shoulders and taking the risk of being found.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROTECTION IS PHYSICAL COVERING; RESPONSIBILITY IS A BURDEN ON THE SHOULDERS.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common modern equivalent of the rare term 'cover-shoulder'?