People sometimes refer disapprovingly to something which is intended to hide or prevent an embarrassing situation as a fig leaf. ... [journalism, disapproval] This deal is little more than a fig leaf for the continued destruction of the landscape.

What does the saying fig leaf mean?

The expression "fig leaf" is widely used figuratively to convey the covering up of an act or an object that is embarrassing or distasteful with something of innocuous appearance, a metaphorical reference to the Biblical Book of Genesis in which Adam and Eve used fig leaves to cover their nudity after eating the ...

What is a fig leaf look like?

Appearance of Leaves

Each leaf has a deeply lobed shape with between three and five lobes per leaf. This shape is also described as palmate for its resemblance to an open hand. The leaves have smooth sides, not serrated or toothed. Edible fig tree leaves are dark green on top and light green on the bottom.