whitewash

whitewash {n.}, {informal}

A soothing official report that attempts to tranquilize the public.

Some people believe that the Warren Commission's report on the Kennedy assassination was a whitewash.

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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms

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whitewash something

[whitewash something] {v.}, {informal} To explain a major, national scandal in soothing official terms so as to assure the public that things are under control and there is no need […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

in public

[in public] {adv. phr.} 1. In a place open to the people; in such a way that the public may see, hear, or know; not secretly; openly. * /Two boys […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

out of commission

[out of commission] {adj. phr.} 1. Retired from active military service; no longer on active duty. * /When the war was over, many warships were placed out of commission./ Contrast: […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

mixed bag

[mixed bag] {n. phr.} A varied set of people, ideas, objects, or circumstances, including both the good and the bad. * /This report is a mixed bag of opinions./ * […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

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