Meaning & use
under the veil
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Meanings
phrasefixed phraseliteraryformal
Hidden or protected by something that keeps the truth or identity from being seen.
Grammar: Used after a verb such as act, hide, or operate, and often followed by 'of': under the veil of secrecy.
Patterns
- under the veil of something
- act under the veil of something
The committee made its decision under the veil of secrecy.
She smiled under the veil of politeness, but she was furious.
The company operated under the veil of charity while avoiding taxes.
phrasefixed phraseformal
Wearing a veil, especially as part of a religious or ceremonial custom.
Grammar: Used literally about a person whose face is covered by a veil.
Patterns
- stand under the veil
- be under the veil
The bride stood under the veil as the ceremony began.
In some traditions, women pray under the veil.
Common combinations
- under the veil of secrecy
- The deal was completed under the veil of secrecy.
- under the veil of darkness
- They escaped under the veil of darkness.
- under the veil of politeness
- He criticized her under the veil of politeness.
Synonyms and how they differ
- under cover of
- More common in everyday and news writing; it emphasizes concealment rather than a covering image.
- behind a veil of
- Close in meaning but uses 'behind' rather than 'under' and is slightly more literal.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: under the veil or under the vale?
under the veil vs under the vale
'Vale' means valley and sounds the same as 'veil' in many accents, but it is a different word.
Practice
The rebels moved through the city ______ the veil of night.
Choose one answer.
The fixed phrase is 'under the veil of night' or 'under the veil of darkness'. The other prepositions do not form this expression.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “under the veil”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.