Gloss over means treat something important too quickly, as if it didn't matter: the report glossed over the reasons for the delay. Gloss is shine, as in lip gloss: the surface looks smooth, and you can't see what's underneath. It's almost always a criticism: the topic deserved more attention.
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gloss over a problem / detail; gloss over it
- The report glossed over the reasons for the delay.
- Don't gloss over the maintenance costs when presenting the budget.
- The speaker acknowledged the disagreement but quickly glossed over it.
What changed
First versionThe summary glossed the safety concerns.
RevisionThe summary glossed over the safety concerns.
Skip, ignore and avoid take their object directly, so glossed the safety concerns seems fine. But the topic someone skims past is introduced by over: glossed over the safety concerns.
Touch on means mention briefly, with no criticism: the lecture touched on climate change. Gloss over means skim past something that deserved more: the lecture glossed over the costs. Leave out means skip it completely, without a word.
Your turn
Complete the expression for treating an important issue too lightly: The account glosses ___ the missing evidence.
Show the answer
over — The topic being skimmed past is introduced by over: glosses over the missing evidence. On doesn't fit here.
Describe an advert, report or announcement that glossed over an important detail.
The brochure glosses over the long journey between the hotel and the beach.
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