To break cover

Cover Cov"er (k?v"?r), n. 1. Anything which is laid, set, or spread, upon, about, or over, another thing; an envelope; a lid; as, the cover of a book. [1913 Webster]

2. Anything which veils or conceals; a screen; disguise; a cloak. ``Under cover of the night.'' -- Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

A handsome cover for imperfections. --Collier. [1913 Webster]

3. Shelter; protection; as, the troops fought under cover of the batteries; the woods afforded a good cover. [1913 Webster]

Being compelled to lodge in the field . . . whilst his army was under cover, they might be forced to retire. --Clarendon. [1913 Webster]

4. (Hunting) The woods, underbrush, etc., which shelter and conceal game; covert; as, to beat a cover; to ride to cover. [1913 Webster]

5. That portion of a slate, tile, or shingle, which is hidden by the overlap of the course above. --Knight. [1913 Webster]

6. (Steam Engine) The lap of a slide valve. [1913 Webster]

7. [Cf. F. couvert.] A tablecloth, and the other table furniture; esp., the table furniture for the use of one person at a meal; as, covers were laid for fifty guests. [1913 Webster]

{To break cover}, to start from a covert or lair; -- said of game.

{Under cover}, in an envelope, or within a letter; -- said of a written message. [1913 Webster]

Letters . . . dispatched under cover to her ladyship. --Thackeray. [1913 Webster]