Which sentence uses 'come across' correctly?

I came across an old photo while cleaning the attic

I came across the street to meet you

I came across an old photo while cleaning the attic

The bridge came across the river

Which sentence uses 'come across' correctly?

She comes across as very confident in interviews

He came across the finish line first

Which sentence uses 'come by' correctly?

Good jobs are hard to come by these days

The bus will come by this route

Good jobs are hard to come by these days

I come by the office every morning at 8

Which sentence uses 'come by' correctly?

Can you come by my house later for coffee?

The train came by the station too fast

She comes by the grocery store home

Which sentence uses 'come out' correctly?

The new iPhone will come out next month

I need to come out from the house now

The new iPhone will come out next month

Which sentence uses 'come out' correctly?

The truth finally came out after the investigation

The students came out to the classroom

Understanding 'Gloss Over': Usage & Meaning

"Those who gloss over details for temporary peace often miss the deeper truths that reveal genuine understanding and lasting harmony."

📖 Definition

To gloss over means to treat or describe something superficially or by disregarding details, often to minimize its importance or obscure its complexities.

Examples in context

Despite the warnings, the manager glossed over safety guidelines during the briefing.
Critics argue that the report glosses over the potential consequences of the new policy.
Historians often warn about glossing over the complexities of historical events.

📖 Definition

To gloss over means to treat or describe something superficially or by disregarding details, often to minimize its importance or obscure its complexities.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

The object can be placed between 'gloss' and 'over'.

Neutral

Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.

Transitive

Yes

Requires an object to operate on.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	gloss over	She tends to gloss over her routine chores.
Past Simple	glossed over	He glossed over the main issues during his presentation.
Present Continuous	glossing over	They are constantly glossing over important points in their reports.
Present Perfect	have glossed over	We have glossed over these problems for too long.

💡 When to Use

Avoiding confrontation

Used when bypassing details to prevent argument or conflict, especially in tense situations.

Example: "She glossed over his mistakes to keep the peace."

Minimizing importance

Appropriate when downplaying inconvenient facts or details, whether knowingly or unknowingly.

Example: "They glossed over the cost implications in the meeting."

Simplifying explanations

Utilized in explanations where complex details are unnecessary for the audience's understanding.

Example: "The instructor glossed over the technical details for the novice audience."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect placement

❌ Wrong: Gloss the details over too quickly.

✅ Correct: Gloss over the details too quickly.

💡 Tip: Remember to keep 'over' after 'gloss'.

Wrong usage

❌ Wrong: She glossed under the topic casually.

✅ Correct: She glossed over the topic casually.

💡 Tip: Use 'over' not 'under' with gloss.

Missing object

❌ Wrong: He glossed over quickly.

✅ Correct: He glossed over the subject quickly.

💡 Tip: Always mention what is being glossed over.

Practice

GLOSS OVER - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

1
Listen to example

Despite the warnings, the manager glossed over safety guidelines during the briefing.
Tiny Houses Hub: Digital Revolution
2
Listen to example

Critics argue that the report glosses over the potential consequences of the new policy.
Tiny Houses Hub: Digital Revolution
3
Listen to example

Historians often warn about glossing over the complexities of historical events.
Tiny Houses Hub: Digital Revolution

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

brush off skirt

Antonyms

emphasize

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"The report tends to ___ over vital statistics, missing the bigger picture."

glance

gloss over

slide

skip

In Context

In the early 20th century, the infamous scandal involving Warren G. Harding's administration, famously known as the Teapot Dome Scandal, unfolded. Albert B. Fall, Harding’s Secretary of the Interior, secretly leased Navy petroleum reserves to private oil companies without competitive bidding. Initially, records glossed over Fall’s illicit activities. Fall had manipulated documents and testimonies, making it seem as though there was nothing untoward in the transactions. For several years, public attention glossed over possible corruption, partly due to the distractions of the era's post-World War I economic boom. However, some journalists were relentless, refusing to gloss over the suspicious leases. Their persistence led to investigations by the Senate. The truth emerged in 1922. As the scandal grew, it captured the nation's attention, showcasing how transparency can crumble when details are purposely overlooked. Eventually, Fall became the first cabinet member in U.S. history to be convicted of a felony for actions in office. The scandal paved the way for legislative changes to promote governmental transparency. The country learned never to gloss over such vital matters again. The Teapot Dome Scandal remains a cautionary tale about the perils of overlooking crucial details in governance.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Gloss Over

What is the origin of gloss over?

Gloss over dates back to the early 19th century, where 'gloss' referred to superficial polish or shine, metaphorically extending to 'covering' superficial aspects of issues in conversation.

Can gloss over be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, gloss over is versatile, fitting both formal and informal contexts, though the tone depends on whether you are minimizing important details or simplifying content for clarity.

What is the difference between gloss over and brush off?

While gloss over involves superficially addressing certain details, brush off implies dismissing or rejecting something completely, often with an indifferent or nonchalant attitude.

Browse All Tiny House Phrasal Verbs

About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey

📖 Definition

📖 Definition

📝 Grammar Info

📊 Conjugation Table

💡 When to Use

⚠️ Common Mistakes

GLOSS OVER - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Gloss Over

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega