expression
looking the other way; hushing up a problem
Idiomatic expression meaning to cover up something unpleasant or inconvenient rather than dealing with it openly. Often used critically to describe avoiding necessary confrontation or sweeping issues under the rug.
会社は不祥事を臭いものに蓋をして、何も公表しなかった。
The company hushed up the scandal and didn't disclose anything.
問題を臭いものに蓋をするような対応では、何も解決しない。
A response that just sweeps the problem under the rug won't solve anything.
Means pretending not to see something, often willfully ignoring a problem. 臭いものに蓋 focuses more on actively covering up or suppressing an issue rather than just ignoring it.
Describes a situation being left vague or unresolved. 臭いものに蓋 implies a deliberate act of concealment, while うやむや can happen passively.
Literally 'put a lid on something smelly.' The expression uses the image of covering a foul odor to figuratively mean hiding or suppressing an unpleasant matter. The exact origin is uncertain, but it is a common Japanese idiom.