On today's show , we go into the home ! We talk about a common object that gives us some useful expressions . That object is a rug . Rugs are floor coverings that serve many purposes in a home . They add color and style to a room . They protect the floor . But since they are on the floor , rugs can trap a lot of dirt . When we clean the floor , it is a good idea to remove the rugs first . This way , you can sweep away all the stuff that gets trapped under it . But if you don't have time or are feeling a little lazy , you can always clean the floor quickly and just sweep around the rug . The dirt under the rug cannot be seen . It's like it's not there . And that brings us to our first expression : “to sweep something under the rug .” When we “sweep something under the rug ,” we try to hide something . What kinds of things do we try to hide ? Things that are illegal , unethical , embarrassing , or just wrong . For example , the corrupt politician won re-election because he swept all his failures and dirty dealings under the rug . Here is another example : Before meeting her new boyfriend's family , my friend carefully and completely swept all her past mistakes under the rug . She wanted a fresh start . She decided to keep her complex past hidden . You might also hear someone say “brush something under the rug .” The word “brush ” in this case means to clean something off . Now , as we said earlier , one purpose of a rug it to make the floor safer . But there are also ways that a rug can be dangerous . If someone pulls a rug out from under your feet , you most likely would fall . And you could get hurt . So , when we “pull the rug from under someone's feet ,” we put that person in a difficult and unexpected situation . We suddenly take away support or help from them . I had only one week to find a new place to live ! You can also say , “to pull the rug out from under someone .” It means the same thing . We finish today's program not with another expression but with a joke . As we discussed earlier , a rug covers and protects the floor . But the word “cover ” has many meanings . “Cover ” can also mean to give protection or to pay for something . So , let's say I go out to dinner with a friend and she forgets money . I can say , “I have money . I've got this covered .” That means I will pay . Here is another example : Some home insurance policies do not cover flood damage . The policies do not protect against high water damage . Knowing that definition of “cover ” helps you understand this joke . Once there was an old floor in an old house . It learned that the owner of the house wanted to put in a new floor . The floor cried and cried about the bad news . Hearing the floor crying , the rug wanted to make the floor feel better . So , what did the rug say to the floor ? I've got you covered .” That joke is a pun on the word “cover ."