"Covering others' ears and eyes" literally means to cover people's ears and eyes, and metaphorically refers to deceiving or blinding others with false appearances so that they cannot see the truth or hear the facts. This idiom originates from The Book of Documents, and its deeper meaning refers to concealing the truth through covert means. It is often used to describe political conspiracies, commercial fraud, or concealment in everyday life. It has a wide range of applications, such as exposing scams or criticizing false advertising. Its emotional tone is generally derogatory, implying improper and dishonest behavior. In terms of cultural background, it reflects the importance traditional Chinese culture places on "integrity" as well as vigilance against deceptive behavior in society. In modern society, this idiom is often used to remind people to stay clear-headed and not be misled by surface appearances.
📝 Example
1. He spread false information merely to cover people's eyes and ears and divert everyone's attention. (Meaning: to deceive or blind others with a false appearance)
2. This company cooked the books to cover people's eyes and ears, and was eventually investigated and punished by the regulatory authorities. (Meaning: to conceal the truth through deceptive means)