tapar

Senses

1. 1.

   to cover

   to put something over or on top of something else to conceal or protect it

2. 2.

   to plug, to block

   to close up a hole, gap, or opening

3. 3.

   to obstruct, to block

   to block someone's view or passage

Examples

• "Vou tapar a panela para a água ferver mais rápido."

  I'm going to cover the pot so the water boils faster.

• "Preciso tapar esse buraco na parede antes de pintar."

  I need to fill this hole in the wall before painting.

• "O caminhão está tapando a entrada da garagem."

  The truck is blocking the garage entrance.

Usage

Common everyday verb in Brazilian Portuguese. Frequently used with "o sol" (tapar o sol - to block the sun/light) or "os ouvidos" (tapar os ouvidos - to cover one's ears). The expression "tapar o sol com a peneira" (to cover the sun with a sieve) means to ignore an obvious problem.