rug

brush (something) under the rug

To ignore, deny, or conceal from public view or knowledge something that is embarrassing, unappealing, or damaging to one's reputation. The senator has been accused of trying to sweep his former drug use under the rug. You need to stop sweeping your problems under the rug.

pull the rug (out) from under (someone's) feet

To suddenly or unexpectedly remove or rescind support, help, or assistance from someone; to abruptly leave someone in a problematic or difficult situation. I felt like someone had pulled the rug out from under my feet when my health insurance said it was going to stop paying for my medical bills. I'd love to up and quit my job, but I just can't pull the rug from under their feet like that.

under the rug

Kept secret or hidden from view, usually due to one's misfortune or embarrassment. The phrase is typically used with the verbs "sweep" and "brush," likened to how dirt would be swept under a rug to hastily hide it. We need to sweep this scandal under the rug as soon as possible. I was so mortified by my mistake that I immediately tried to brush it under the rug.

be (as) snug as a bug in a rug

To be warm and cozy, typically while wrapped in blankets. My daughters are all snug as a bug in a rug watching a movie together. I hate the cold weather, so I look forward to bedtime—when I can be as snug as a bug in a rug.

See also: bug, rug, snug

call someone on the carpet

and haul someone on the carpet

Fig. to reprimand a person. (When done by someone of clear superiority. Haul is stronger than call.) One more error like that and the big boss will call you on the carpet. I'm sorry it went wrong. I really hope the regional manager doesn't call me on the carpet again.

lie like a rug

S/. to tell lies shamelessly. He says he didn't take the money, but he's lying like a rug. I don't believe her. She lies like a rug.

pull the rug out (from under someone)

Fig. to make someone or someone's plans fall through; to upset someone's plans. Don pulled the rug out from under me in my deal with Bill Franklin. I was close to getting the contract until Don came along and pulled out the rug.

rug rat

Sl. a small child, especially an infant or toddler. (Also a term of address.) You got any rug rats at your house? Hey, you cute little rug rat, come over here.

*snug as a bug in a rug

Cliché wrapped up tight, warm, and comfortable. (Playful; often used when addressing a child. *Also: as ~.) The bedroom in Aunt Jane's house was cold, but after she wrapped me up in four or five quilts and put a stocking cap on my head, I was snug as a bug in a rug and ready to go to sleep. Alan: Are you warm enough? Jane: Yes, I'm as snug as a bug in a rug.

See also: bug, rug, snug

sweep something under the carpet

1. Lit. to hide dirt by brushing it away under the edge of a carpet. He was in such a hurry with the cleaning that he just swept the dirt under the carpet. She swept the dirt under the carpet, hoping no one would find it.

2. Fig. to hide or ignore something. You made a mistake that you can't sweep under the carpet. Don't try to sweep it under the carpet. You are wrong!

sweep something under the carpet

to hide something embarrassing sweep something under the rug The problem is usually ignored or swept under the carpet.

cut a rug

to dance Twenty disco classics on one CD. Now there's music to cut a rug to.

Usage notes: also used in the form cut a mean rug ( to dance very well): This flamenco dancer cuts a mean rug.

pull the rug (out) from under somebody/something

also pull the rug (out) from under somebody's feet

to suddenly take away important support from someone The school pulled the rug from under the local team by making them pay to practice in the school gym.

sweep something under the rug

to hide something embarrassing sweep something under the carpet The scandal was swept under the rug because of the important people involved in it.

cut a rug

(old-fashioned)

to dance Twenty disco classics on one CD. Now there's music to cut a rug to.

pull the rug from under somebody/something

also pull the rug from under somebody's feet

to suddenly take away help or support from someone, or to suddenly do something which causes many problems for them The school pulled the rug from under the basketball team by making them pay to practise in the school gymnasium.

be as snug as a bug in a rug

(humorous)

to feel very comfortable and warm because you are in bed or under a cover You get in your nice warm bed with your teddy and you'll be as snug as a bug in a rug!

See also: bug, rug, snug

sweep something under the carpet

(British, American & Australian) also sweep something under the mat/rug (American & Australian)

to try to hide a problem or keep a problem secret instead of dealing with it The incident has forced into the open an issue that the government would rather have swept under the carpet. The evidence was on film and the police couldn't just sweep it under the rug.

call on the carpet

Summon for a scolding or rebuke, as in Suspecting a leak to the press, the governor called his press secretary on the carpet. This term began as on the carpet, which in the early 1700s referred to a cloth (carpet) covering a conference table and therefore came to mean "under consideration or discussion." In 19th-century America, however, carpet meant "floor covering," and the expression, first recorded in 1902, alluded to being called before or reprimanded by a person rich or powerful enough to have a carpet.

pull the rug out from under

Remove all support and assistance from, usually suddenly. For example, Stopping his allowance pulled the rug out from under him, forcing him to look for a job . This metaphoric term alludes to pulling on a rug a person is standing on so that he or she falls. [Mid-1900s]

snug as a bug in a rug

Very cozy and comfortable, as in During the blizzard we had plenty of firewood and stayed in the cottage, snug as a bug in a rug . This expression, thought to allude to a moth larva happily feeding inside a rolled-up carpet, was first recorded in 1769 and probably owes its long life to the rhyme.

See also: bug, rug, snug

sweep under the rug

Hide something, as in Their attempts to sweep the scandal under the rug were not very successful. This idiom alludes to sweeping dust under the rug, so it won't be seen. [Mid-1900s]

lie like a rug

in. to tell lies shamelessly. He says he didn’t take the money, but he’s lying like a rug.

rug

n. a wig or toupee. (see also divot.) I wear just a little rug to cover up a shiny spot.

rug rat

and ankle biter

n. a child. Hey, you cute little rug rat, come over here. I got three little ankle biters at home.

sky rug

n. a toupee; a man’s wig. I think he is wearing a sky rug.

pull the rug (out) from under

Informal

To remove all support and assistance from, usually suddenly.

sweep under the rug

To avoid discussing or dealing with (something negative or troubling).

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Forest	FAWR-əst	English
Stefanus	-	Dutch
Bohuslava	bo-hoo-SLAH-vah (Ukrainian)	Czech, Ukrainian
Venera	vye-NYE-rah (Russian), vee-NYE-rah (Russian)	Russian, Bulgarian, Albanian
Flossie	FLAWS-ee	English
Codie	KO-dee	English (Modern)